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SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS 



FOR 



CANDID READERS 



BY 



Rev. C. H. Williams, 



Baptist Clergyman. 



NIK orphans' press, c g f., 

1555 ATLANTIC AVENUE, 
BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



PREFATORY. M 

In presenting our "Spiritual Thoughts" to 
the public, the author will endeavor to lose 
sight of personal aggrandizement, while the 
glory of God, and spiritual profit of the reader 
will be kept in view. Devoutly we enter upon 
the task, praying for wisdom to guide the pen, 
and the Holy Spirit to inspire the heart, that 
economy in time and space may be observed, 
while justice to the topics elucidated may not 
be minimized. 

With a profound sense of human weakness, 
the writer would invoke divine aid, and a can- 
did consideration of the thoughts herein sub- 
mitted, trusting they may be a blessing to all 
who peruse them. While the pages of this 
little volume may be characterized by variety, 
they will have but one foundation, in the Book 
of books, and one central figure in the person 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose mission will 
be magnified and glorified; and ultimate salva- 
tion in prospect, for the faithful. 



SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS 

FOR 

CANDID READERS. 



EXEMPLARY. 



It is a fact worthy of note, that the impera- 
tive duties devolving upon the ambassadors of 
truth in these last days, should be performed 
with alacrity, and a zeal truly commendable. 
In this matter Paul, the inspired, is exemplary, 
as his writings abundantly prove. '-' For I have 
not shunned to declare unto you all the coun- 
sel of God," is his statement made in Acts 20:- 
27. Now if this inspired apostle preached the 
whole gospel as essential to salvation, surely 
non-essentials are not implied. As God has 
now commanded all men every where to repent, 
and as this is the chief object in preaching the 
gospel, God's servants should with christian 
fidelity and all meekness produce Paul's reason: 
" Because he hath appointed a day, in the which 
he will judge the world in righteousness by 
that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he 



4 Spiritual Thoughts 

hath odven assurance unto all men, in that he hath 
raised him from the dead." It is true, there 
are some in this age of the world who, like 
those in the days of Paul, "mocked, when 
they heard of the resurrection of the dead;" 
but for the sake of those who will hear of this 
matter, it behooves the messengers of truth to 
faithfully herald the gospel of the kingdom, 
and thus follow Paul, who was verily an ex- 
emplary servant of Christ. 

These thoughts have led the author to ex- 
press plainly and positively the Bible truth 
contained in the pages of this little volume, 
hoping that God's blessing may so attend the 
humble effort, that many shall come into the 
"fullness of the blessing of the gospel of 
Christ," and be truly exemplary in their christ- 
ian profession, and christian teachings; for by 
our good words and good works, others will 
be led to glorify our Father in heaven. 



" HOW FORCIBLE ARE RIGHT WORDS." 

JOB, 6-25. 

In counteracting moral evils, the power and 
conviction conveyed in right words, is often 



For Candid Readers. 5 

beyond human calculation, or anticipation; 
and when accompanied with the enthusiasm 
of the Holy Spirit, eternity alone will unfold 
the blessed results. 

Therefore the unquestionable importance 
of guarding the utterances with discretion and 
sincerity under all circumstances, that our 
efforts in behalf of fallen humanity may not be 
futile. The great secret of success in all moral 
reform, lies in the principle embodied in the 
language of Paul, when he urges the Colossian 
Church to " Walk in zvisdom toward the?n that 
are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech 
be alway with grace, (favor) seasoned with salt. 
(The savor of fresh and lively spiritual wisdom 
and earnestness, excluding all "corrupt com- 
munication" and also tasteless insipidity,") 
that ye may know hoivyc ought to answer every 
man. " 

In the advocacy of christian principles we 
run counter to rampant infidelity and skepticism, 
and the indomitable will of sinful man; and the 
great tendency is to follow the opposer in con- 
troversy; but the author of 'our text inquires 
" What doth your arguing reprove ? " Possibly 



6 Spiritual Thoughts 

it may give us present victory and vain 
glory, but how much of reproof and con- 
viction is sealed upon the opposers heart? 
Perhaps he is so angered and embittered 
against us and gospel truth, that the breech be- 
tween him and his God is widened, and he sinks 
lower in the scale of morality. 

We would not ignore the principles of logical 
reasoning in the spirit of love and good nature, 
with due equipoise and tranquility of mind; but 
we would impress the fact that " right words," 
pure words, are forcible, and in a certain sense 
they may embrace hard arguments, clothed in 
soft utterances. These words may be simple 
and childlike expressions, based upon the reve- 
lation of God, made deep and pungent by the 
Spirit of Christ. But that judgment and love 
may be in the words expressed in christian 
courtesy, the apostle brings to light the neces- 
sary frame of mind and social standing of those 
who employ these words, by exhorting them to 
"Above all things put on charity, which is the 
bond of perfectness. 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 
to the which also ye are called in one body; 



For Candid Readers. 7 

and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ 
dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and 
admonishing- one another in psalms and hymns 
and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your 
hearts to the Lord/ 7 

Now if the word of Christ dwell in us richly, 
we shall know how to express ourselves to the 
edification and ultimate good of those we associ- 
ate with, and the righteous words of our lips 
will be so forcible, convincing and impressive, 
that the sinful heart will be touched and quick- 
ened, and the afflicted and dying be comforted 
with the inspiring hope of the future. Job uttered 
the words of our caption when in deep affliction. 
He had lost his property, his children and his 
health, and his sufferings seemed to be almost 
unbearable. But amidst it all he recognized the 
dealings of a kind providence and still worship- 
ed God with a true heart, rather than curse him 
and die as advised by his ungodly wife. Yet 
like the rest of us in extremities, he desired hu- 
man sympathy; for he says: "To him that is 
afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend." 
None could better value right or suitable words 
in such circumstances, than he: and if we place 



8 Spiritual Thoughts 

a proper estimate upon right words, we shall 
employ them in rebuke and admonition as oc- 
casion may require, and endeavor to comfort 
the sick and dying as we have opportunity: re- 
membering "a word spoken in due season, how 
good it is," and that "A word fitly spoken is 
like apples of gold in pictures of silver/' O may 
God help us, in view of speedy judgment, and 
the results in eternity, to make sure that our 
hearts are right before the Lord, for "Out of 
the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 
A good man out of the good treasure of the 
heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil 
man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil 
things. But I say unto you, That every idle 
word that men shall speak, they shall give ac- 
count thereof in the day of judgment. For by 
thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy 
words thou shalt be condemned." We see by 
these divine statements, ' ' how forcible are right 
words,"' for upon their use our destiny hinges, 
and the welfare of others depends. Therefore 
let us pray for the Holy Spirit's promptings, that 
all of our utterances may be sanctified and made 
a blessing to all with whom we have communi- 



For Candid Readers. 9 

cation, that the world may be the better for our 
having lived in it. 



THINGS TO BE LOVED. 

Man's love is naturally diversified in this 
world. Some love one thing and some another. 
But when divine grace modifies their moral 
nature, they are united in the love of divine 
things: and those things are only seen through 
the telescope of faith, "which cometh by hear- 
ing, and hearing by the word of God." There- 
fore the impress of divine truth unifies in 
sentiment and affection, qualifies in ability and 
action, and sanctifies in its results : so that 
we love God supremely and all the good things 
promised and contemplated to be ours at the 
appearing of Jesus. This event in prospect, 
brings out the acme of Christian love: for we 
not only love God for the things he has in store 
for us, but we love the coming of the dear Re- 
deemer who is to bring us into the full fruition. 
See 2 Tim. 4-8, Titus 2-13, Heb. 9>27-28. 

We forbear expatiating farther upon this 
glorious and inexhaustible theme, and conclude 



io Spiritual Thoughts 

our breviary by exhorting all of our unsaved 
readers to follow these lines of. thought, and 
launch out into the boundless ocean of God's 
love, and ever allow the spiritual element to 
predominate over the carnal, that only the good 
and pure of all things may be loved. 



KINDNESS. 

The Christian heart abounds in all of the 
elements that constitute kindness, divine in 
character and magnanimous in results, while 
spontaneously the healing flood flows to all 
around, imparting joy to the sorrowing, strength 
to the weak, and comfort to the dying. 

Of all human traits and emotions none is 
greater in power and results than the ' ' temper or 
disposition which delights in contributing to the 
happiness of others, which is exercised cheer- 
fully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their 
wants, or alleviating their distresses/' And 
when the love of God shed abroad in the heart 
by the Holy Spirit becomes the mainspring or 
power that produces this benignity of nature 
in its fullness, selfishness is excluded, and the 
welfare of others duly considered. 



For Candid Readers. 1 1 

Kind acts and kind words, based upon 
gospel principles, form the lever, which, if uni- 
versally adopted, would turn the world of 
humanity over into the line of joy, peace, and 
righteousness: for many have been rescued 
from the ways of sin and ruin by a few kind 
words, seasoned with divine grace. But the 
fear of contamination sometimes debars the 
well disposed, and prevents the manifestation 
of their kindness in circumstances peculiar to the 
fallen. If so, this fear may be dispelled by adopt- 
ing the Scriptural rule of separation in practice, 
and association in person, with righteousness 
as the object, doing good to all men as we have 
opportunity, and especially to those of the 
household of faith. In short, the altruistic 
principle of the living Christian will ever be, 
"kind to all, intimate with few, and that few 
well chosen." 



THE CHRISTIAN'S RECORD. 

" A register, authentic or official copy of any 
writing, or account of any facts and proceed- 



12 Spiritual Thoughts 

ings, entered in a book for preservation," is 
properly termed a record. 

Therefore the Christian's movements from one 
thing to another, and his manner of conducting 
himself before God and men, are cognizable, 
and fully detailed in the records of both heaven 
and earth, so that judgment is passed according 
to the record of life. 

The uses of records are immemorial, but 
evidently of divine origin : for the facts relative 
to the creation and conduct of our federal head, 
or the first mortal being of earth, are recorded 
in the great Book of inspiration for the benefit 
of posterity. And were it not for the unfolding 
of these facts as connected with the redemptive 
scheme, the human race would be ignorant of 
the things pertaining to a future world and 
future existence. 

But to be definite upon the points we have in 
mind, let it be understood, first, that all men 
individually have a record that is being read by 
the world every day. Hence when a stranger 
puts in his appearance, men of experience and 
understanding are slow to repose confidence in 
him until they learn his record of life. His 



For Candid Readers. 13 

past and present course ot conduct are canvassed 
quite thoroughly, and all of his misdeeds and 
treacherous acts are considered by the world as 
an index to the man's real character or make-up. 
This thought brings before us the importance 
of well regulated deportment and guarded 
speech, especially when we consider the results, 
disparaging to ourselves, and the deleterious 
influence upon our fellows by misconduct. 
O, how well chosen, in a moral point of view, 
should all of our sentences be as they fall from 
our lips upon the critical ears of domestics, 
associates, and all with whom we have to do, 
while every act should be upright. 

But this subject becomes more important to 
us as Christians when we consider, secondly, 
that the all-scutinizing eye of God is upon us, 
while an accurate record of all our deeds and 
expressions is kept by him. The penitential 
and sympathizing tears are bottled, while our 
many earnest petitions offered at the shrine of 
prayer, together with our heartfelt testimonies 
are remembered, and we are characterized as 
the children of God. The record thus made 
decides our relationship and destiny, as positive- 



14 Spiritual Thoughts 

ly expressed by the inspired penman in 
language as follows : ' ' Then they that feared the 
Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord 
hearkened and heard it, and a book of remem- 
berance was written before him for them that 
feared the Lord, and that thought upon his 
name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord 
of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels: 
and I will spare them as a man spareth his own 
son that serveth him." — Mai. 3 : 16-17. 

In order to have a clean record and serve God 
acceptably, we must serve our fellow-men 
honestly, and do them good as we have 
opportunity; for while it behooves the Christian 
to fast and pray frequently, the Lord inquires, 
"Is not this the fast that I have chosen, to 
loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the 
heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, 
and that ye break every yoke ? Is it not to deal 
thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring 
the poor that are cast out to thy house? When 
thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and 
that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, 
and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and 



For Candid Readers. 15 

thy righteousness shall go before thee, the glory 
of the Lord shall be thy re-reward. " — Isa. 58 : 6-8. 
In conclusion, let all who have taken upon 
themselves the name of Christ " cease to do evil 
and learn to do well/' that when the arbiter of 
human destiny shall come in judgment and open 
the books, he may find our record clean, for 
"the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth 
us from all sin." 



DELUSION. 

That very many are misled in their mental 
conclusions, is a fact apparent to all candid 
observers; but that Christians should be deceived 
by that which is evil, is a matter not so easy of 
comprehension; for if we are led by the Spirit of 
God our perception will so penetrate the modern 
schemes of Satan as to dismantle them of what- 
ever of the semblance of good may have been 
put on. 

This is emphatically an age of deception, in 
which people are led astray, both in temporal 
and spiritual matters, corroborative of which are 
the glitter and show, pomp and hollow profes- 



1 6 Spiritual Thoughts 

sions rampant in all branches of society : and 
he who would not be decoyed needs the 
impartation of divine power; for Satan is now 
transformed into an angel of light, having many 
religious emissaries under his command, and so 
mischievous and intricate are his ways that 
many well disposed people who have not 
enough of God's sanctifying power to keep them, 
are easily entrapped. But the most delusive 
scheme is that of sinful pleasure in the name of 
Christianity — when games and multitudinous 
entertainments of questionable character are 
held forth as inducements to God's service. 
We may well pause to consider the propriety of 
such a course, yes, and even turn away in 
disgust from every Christian organization 
offering such carnal bait — 2 Tim. 3 : 5. Matt. 
24 : 24-25. But with the Lord's children who 
"have an unction from the Holy One," there is 
no excuse for indulgence or laxity : "for the 
anointing which ye have received of him abideth 
in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: 
but as the same anointing teacheth you of all 
things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it 
hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.' v 



For Candid Readers. \y 

With such an endowment of heavenly dis- 
cernment, how is it possible for us to go astray, 
except with the eyes of our understanding 
wide open, which condition would render the 
deviation willful sin; and then sacrifice will 
avail us nothing, but a certain "fearful looking 
for of judgment and fiery indignation, which 
shall devour the adversaries," will be the 
troubled condition of mind. 

O, that all may avoid the pitfalls of the 
wicked one by walking in the footsteps of our 
Saviour: for he has promised to be with us, 
st even unto the end of the world," and we are 
sure he never will lead us astray. May the 
riches of divine grace and the immunity of the 
redeemed be ours to enjoy now and in "the 
world to come. " 



REDEEMING THE TIME. 
The precious boon of time when considered 
as "the duration of one's life: the hours and 
days which a person has at his disposal," 
never should be wasted in that which has no 
value attached, for we only pass through this 
world once, and that for the purpose of pre- 



1 8 Spiritual Thoughts 

paring- for " the world to come/' providing we 
occupy the sphere our Maker designed we 
should. But more especially should a wise 
improvement of this season be made by secur- 
ing the swiftly fleeting moments for ourselves 
in righteousness, " because the days are evil: 7 ' 
and they who are indifferent to the evil charac- 
teristics of this age will easily waste their time. 

To make a profitable use of our probation- 
ary period it becomes essential to understand 
and do Ct 'the will of the Lord:" and our bill of 
instructions are so explicit that none need to 
make any mistake, as to what God's will is. 
" For this is the will of God, even your sancti- 
fication, that ye should abstain from fornication: 
that every one of you should k?iow how to 
possess his vessel in sanctification and honour." 
" For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, 
but unto holiness." Surely a system of faith 
and practice that is so purifying, will not 
allow of indulgences that are demoralizing in 
body, corrupting intellectually or of a generat- 
ing tendency to pride. 

With such gospel principles as these indelibly 
stamped upon our affections by the spirit 



For Candid Readers. 19 

divine, the forces of body are well balanced 
and controlled, while the moral element of our 
nature is so gospelized and spiritualized as to 
exclude arrogance in every form, and produce 
a love for plain, modest apparel, such as God 
has ordered, while our deportment and speech 
will be emphatically of the chaste type. 

With the speedy coming of the Lord in view 
and our pre-eminent devotion to the dear 
Saviour, whose blood has secured everlasting 
salvation, we have no time to squander and 
none of the Lord's money to expend in securing, 
making or wearing those things that disfigure 
in person, debiltate in health, and disgrace us 
as Christians. O no, thank God, the vain and 
hurtful fashions of this evil world have lost 
their charms to us, because we have that 
which is so much better, the adornment of 
righteousness and the meek and quiet spirit, 
while we have a complete and satisfying por- 
tion in God's love, with the affection and com- 
munion of saints. Beloved in Christ, let us 
secure to ourselves the time, because the days 
are evil and the subtle forces of ruin are all 
about us. 



20 Spiritual Thong Jits 

Let not one day pass without doing some 
good act, or uttering some kind word that shall 
benefit our fellows and redound to God's glory. 



INFLUENCE. 

That mankind is more or less controlled by 
the hidden powers of individuals and organiza- 
tions, both morally and physically, is a self- 
evident fact which all Christian workers should 
take into consideration; for while the majority 
are governed by influences that are satanic in 
origin and human in development, the children 
of God are possessed of hidden forces, divine 
in nature, gentle in operation, and mighty in 
power. Yes, our Christian forces are always 
efficacious when used-, but with many the great 
lack of moral power is in remissness, an ele- 
ment which is sure to quench the spirit and 
produce leanness of soul. 

With mortals the highest grade of influence 
is that of a Christian character. No power is so 
mighty, so purifying and reforming as Christian 
or spiritual influence when properly wielded. 
But how shall the influence of God's people be 
made most effectual? is the question that de- 



For Candid Readers. 21 

mands attention just now. The secret lies in 
the precious jewel of consistency : which from 
a Christian standpoint is Bible truth illustrated 
by Holy living: and this embraces a love for, 
and obedience to that truth which we are to 
''buy and sell it not :" and if this precious boon 
is preferred above anything else, sacrifices will 
be cheerfully made for it. Hence, moral ob- 
ligations will be readily met and temporal 
duties promptly discharged, God is uppermost 
in the affections and therefore the loss of 
earthly friendship for righteousness sake is 
comparatively no loss. Our love for His truth is 
so strong that our time, ability and means are 
given for its advancement, while individually 
we are consecrated to God, our hearts being 
pure: our thoughts holy: our words seasoned 
with grace and our deportment well regulated 
by the divine rule. 

The family is blessed by the sunshine of 
our heavenly influence. In our most sacred 
relations with the church, it is graced by our 
punctual attendance upon the public services, 
realizing that personal presence gives a sanction 
equal to words. All of our associations are of 



22 Spiritual Thoughts 

a character that will produce a growth in grace, 
and we assiduously guard against the devices 
of Satan, by way of side issues: being ever at 
our post in the church of our choice, knowing 
that an excuse for leave of absence would be 
equally good for others, and cast an influence 
unfavorable : for a union of individual forces 
gives public influence and power for good, 
while a combination of churches in associa- 
tional capacity gives prestige that is mighty. 

With these facts before us, it is easy to dis- 
cover the importance of supporting our public 
gatherings, and especially our prayer-meetings, 
where the holy fire of devotion and zeal is en- 
kindled more largely by personal contact, and 
spiritual union, while the salvation of others is 
earnestly sought and prayed for. 

Therefore a righteous influence, being with- 
out limitation, is exerted not only by individu- 
als, but also, and most effectually by a com- 
bination of believers, who, in their public 
assemblies are strict in attendance even at a 
sacrifice of many temporal things. 

With truths in advance of others, we, as a 
people, ought to have a more salutary influence 



For Candid Readers. 23 

over community: and how shall we have it? 
We answer by devotion to God, purity of life 
and unblemished mien, while consistency shall 
exemplify our faith in the speedy coming of the 
Lord and a final restitution : by the regular visita- 
tion of one or more of our best religious period- 
icals in every family of Baptists, for no family 
believing in these truths should be without some 
paper devoted to the interests, of our cause. 
And then every church should be well represent- 
ed in our Association, with means raised by 
commendable efforts to support our missionary 
work, and in this way we shall prove to the 
world our sincerity in profession, and validity 
in faith. 



AFFECTION. 
The most common acceptation of the term 
affection, is in the sense of "settled good will, 
love, zealous or tender attachment; 7 ' and upon 
this basis it is a moral endowment that gets hold 
of our being, and to a greater or less degree 
holds it in control. And while this is true of the 
human, it is more emphatically true of the di- 
vine: for the energies and vital forces of the or- 



24 Spiritual Thoughts 

ganism are centered upon the object of its love, 
so that when the affection of one person is 
placed upon another it brings both under the 
one power, which in and of itself, as a pure ele- 
ment, is reciprocal: for it is a self-evident fact 
that love and hatred have no affinity or attach- 
ment. They are opposites, and no power under 
heaven can bring them together. The height 
and depth of God's love can only be felt and 
known by our loving him in return. 

All nature declares harmony only in the 
kingdom where things exist peculiar to that 
kingdom; and when elements of the same nature 
commingle there is unanimity: and when we 
rightly consider the gospel principles we dis- 
cover what, in the divine economy, produces 
affection that reaches out for all who will be- 
come good and pure, and culminates in intimate 
relation with God and his children. 

When the affections of the human heart are 
intensified by the divine, it fills the soul "with 
joy unspeakable and full of glory/' producing 
happiness beyond measure to both the possessor 
and receiver; for " the fruit of the Spirit is love, 
joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, 



For Candid Readers, 25 

faith, meekness, temperance; against such 
there is no law." Happy condition, Saved! 
Saved ! ! all through the tender love of God in 
the gift of his dear Son. 



CONSISTENCY. 

In the Christian warfare, nothing is more es- 
sential to success than the precious jewel of 
consistency, which brings the possessor into 
favor with God and all sensible beings, produc- 
ing harmony in action, thought and affection, 
for it is a self-evident fact, demonstrated in 
temporal warfare, that the elements of disinte- 
gration are always ruinous and disgraceful: and 
while the fact is equally true in a spiritual sense, 
soldiers of the cross must be in "the condition 
of standing or adhering firmly together, or being 
fixed in union as the parts of a body: existence, 
firmness, coherence, solidity," without which 
defeat is sure to come. 

Now in making a practical application of 
these thoughts, we respectfully ask the indul- 
gence of our readers by way of illustration. 
Suppose the head of a family, possessed of mag- 
naniamous heart with but very limited means 



26 Spiritual Thoughts 

should devote a good share of his time and earn- 
ings to the interest of neighbor families for 
whom he has tender regard, and that to the 
neglect of his own wife and children whom he 
professes to love more than all others on earth. 
Would he not be considered inconsistent and in 
direct opposition to the teachings of inspiration 
which declares: " If any provide not for his own, 
and especially for those of his own house he 
hath denied the faith, and is worse than an in- 
fidel." 

Now let us be practical and pointed in this 
matter. We profess to love the Baptist family 
more than all others because of the light and 
truth they have in advance of all other organiza- 
tions, and for this reason we make our home 
with them, and pledge ourselves to do all we can 
to support this, our family and our cause of truth. 
In our Church Covenant we engage "by the aid 
of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian 
love: to strive for the advancement of this 
church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to 
promote its prosperity and spirituality: to sus- 
tain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and 
doctrines: to contribute cheerfully and regularly 



For Candid Readers. 27 

to the support of the ministry,' the expenses of 
the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread 
of the gospel through all nations." 

Now under these obligations as our church 
family is comparatively poor and in want of 
means necessary to carry on the work of " mak- 
ing ready a people prepared for the Lord," will 
it be consistent in us to divide our affections, 
our time and our limited means in supporting 
other organizations which we know are holding 
more or less of error, and stand opposed to ' ' pres- 
ent truth," while their practices and conformity 
to the world in amusements, entertainments 
and vain fashions counteract all the good they 
profess to do ? 

Let each one carefully consider and answer 
this question in the light of God's word, remem- 
bering that our dear Saviour has said: He that 
is not with me is against me, and he that gath- 
ereth not with me, scattereth abroad, — either 
make the tree good and his fruit good, or else 
make the tree corrupt and his fruit corrupt, for 
the tree is known by his fruit," "No man can 
serve two masters, for either he will hate the one 
and love the other, or else he will hold to the one 
and despise the other." 



28 Spiritual Thoughts 

While it is true that we as Christians are to 
do good to all men as we have opportunity, we 
are to do it more "especially unto them who 
are of the household of faith/' ever bearing in 
mind that when we give our time, influence and 
money for the support of error, it is just so much 
against the gospel of truth. 

Some may argue that because of their isola- 
tion and having no church of their own faith to 
attend, they are at liberty to support whatever 
society may be in their midst. But such should 
think of the needs in our publishing interests 
and missionary work. If every Baptist would 
be true to their obligations and contribute of 
their means as God prospers them, our mission- 
aries would all be kept in the field and support- 
ed without aping the world in monetary meth- 
ods. Let consistency be our motto. 



YOUR PASTOR. 
This article is not designed as a eulogium, 
but will be impartial, yet necessarily plain as 
to your relation with him whom God has ap- 
pointed as your spiritual adviser and guide: for 



For Candid Readers. 29 

if this relation is not properly understood, 
there will not be the concert of action necessary 
for success. Therefore Paul says: "We be- 
seech you, brethren to know them that labor 
among you, and are over you in the Lord, and 
admonish you, and to esteem them very highly 
in love for their work's sake, and be at peace 
among yourselves." — 1 Thes. 5: 12-13. 

So great is the care and responsibility of 
the pastor that he needs the respect, prayers, 
sympathies and full support of every member 
in the Church. With mutual confidence and 
due regard, the pastor's work in preparation 
and execution is more effectual, while his so- 
cial qualities are more likely to be in good tone: 
and whether he meets you in the family, on the 
street, or in public, there is such a unanimity 
of feeling existing in the hearts of the people 
and himself that he feels at home; and to be 
successful in church work, this scriptural co- 
operation cannot be dispensed with, for the 
eyes of an ungodly world are upon us, judging 
of our cause by the fruits we bear: and if the 
members of the Church are free to expres them- 
selves in terms of commendation and sanction. 



30 Spiritual Ihoaghts 

avoiding criticisms, reflections and disparag- 
inginsinuations, the work under God will prosper. 
If anybody thinks the pastor's position an 
easy one, they are simply mistaken, for he has 
to make such a critical diagnosis as to be able 
to prepare and administer antidotes suitable 
for all classes; and as antidotes are not always 
agreeable to the diseased soul, he is frequently 
counted as a meddlesome fellow, treating dis- 
eases he has no business with, giving reproof 
and admonition when there is no need of it, 
and making himself unpopular by drawing the 
line so straight. But the claims of God must 
be presented and enforced by his servants, 
whether men will hear or forbear, and the larger 
part of a pastor's work is in the line of admonition, 
reproof and warning, as is evident by the 
charge of Paul to Timothy, saying : ' ' Preach the 
word: be instant in season, out of season: re- 
prove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering 
and doctrine. For the time will come when they 
will not endure sound doctrine: but after their 
own lusts shall they heap to themselves teach- 
ers, having itching ears; and they shall turn 
away their ears from the truth, and shall be 
turned unto fables." — 2 Tim. 4: 2-4. 



For Candid Readers. 31 

Now the minister of the gospel will be in- 
excusable if he proves remiss in the face of 
such an injunction as this, and the people 
never should find fault with a reiteration of 
what God enjoins upon them, for his com- 
mands are not grevious, but pleasurable, and 
will ultimate in salvation to all who obey 
trrem. Brethern beloved in the Lord, stay up 
the hands of your pastor under all circum- 
stances. 



COMPANIONSHIP. 

The union of opposites, or the positive and 
negative, is a theory out of harmony with 
nature and revelation; for that social cohesion 
and unanimity of feeling depends upon con- 
geniality, is a fact supported by natural and 
spiritual laws; and wherever beings of an in- 
compatible nature try to unite, the undertaking 
is marked by failure. 

The only modus operandi by which oppos- 
ing natures can be united is by transformation', 
and when that change occurs they are no long- 
er opposites. Fashioned in virtue and charac- 
ter after the moral image of our dear Saviour in 



32 Spiritual Thoughts 

the mould of divine truth, and by the power of 
the sanctifying spirit, being transformed by 
the renewing of mind and effections, we are 
thus made one in Christ Jesus. — Rom. 12: 2. 
Eph. 4: 2C-24. 

Therefore, when persons that are opposites 
in will power and moral sentiments, grounded 
and settled in the same, consent to the propo- 
sition of affinity, it is only to meet with dis- 
appointment by the outbursts of antagonism. 
' ' Can two walk together except they be agreed ?" 

In the marriage relation thousands have been 
made very unhappy in life by neglecting the 
consideration of compatibility previous to their 
legal union; for it is a self-evident fact that 
natural adaptation produces happiness in a de- 
gree, and this fact should not be overlooked 
even by believers in Christ, who are taught by 
the Word of inspiration to " marry only in the 
Lord:" and obedience to this injunction inva- 
riably brings peace and bliss to the domestic 
circle like that of heaven. 

The Bible plainly teaches that we can sus- 
tain no union with Christ only by becoming 
Christ-like, which is a change that puts us be- 



For Candid Readers. 33 

fore the world as new creatures, with feelings 
and desires divine in nature and holy in exhi- 
bition: for we have the mind that was in Jesus, 
and as a natural result we seek for the compan- 
ionship of the righteous: and while it is true 
that in us there is shown a spirit of kindness, 
with a will to do good to the ungodly when- 
ever it is possible, yet we take no pleasure in 
their intimate association, and cannot reason- 
ably drop down to their low standard of fellow- 
ship, either in social or domestic relations. 
It may be possible for a believer to dwell with 
an unbeliever in the marriage relation for a time 
by righteous forbearance ; but such a union 
brings no real happiness. There are thousands 
legally united, who are antagonistic in princi- 
ples and divided in heart, though as husband 
and wife they consent to dwell under one roof. 
Now what is needed to make men and women 
companionable, and families happy, is discre- 
tion in choice upon the ground of adaptability, 
accompanied by the religion of Jesus Christ, 
which never fails to perfect congeniality. 

As there is no union between God and the 
devil or his progeny, so there is no compati- 
bility with saints and sinners. 



34 Spiritual Thoughts 

Therefore, the reasonable outcome of this 
truth is that Christians will seek for the com- 
panionship of those who are Christ-like in this 
world, while they long for companionship of 
angels and the redeemed of all ages in Paradise 
restored. 

O may the riches of divine grace and 
heavenly wisdom be imparted to the younger 
portion of faith's household, that they may avoid 
the domestic infelicity and social discord so 
rampant in these days of alienation and disaf- 
fection. Beloved, he sure that you make choice of 
holy companions now, if you wish to be happy 
a?id helped on in the way of righteousness, while 
seeking for attainments that will fit you for the 
higher sphere in God's coming kingdom. 



ARE YOU READY? 
Under this head we wish to inquire: First, 
Are you ready for service in the militant state 
or have you just put on the uniform to partici- 
pate in dress parade, caring more for the ex- 
hibition of your person and the applause of 
idle spectators than you do for the honors at- 
tending victory in battle? The laureation of 



For Candid Readers. 35 

the Christian soldier depends upon his valorous 
deeds in actual engagements, and the cost of 
these honors must be counted previous to 
enlistment, lest the dangers, hardships and 
privations deprive us of courage, and stamp 
upon us the disgraceful mark of cowardice. 
With ultimate honors attending victory con- 
stantly in view, stimulating and cheering, we 
are ready for service. 

Second. Having noticed the Christian's 
work in a general sense, let us inquire: Are you 
ready to do for God the little things which go 
to make up a Christian life ? Are you punctual 
in attending to the means of grace which 
always produce growth and development in 
Christ Jesus ? Are you ready in acts of kind- 
ness and words of affection to those who need 
help and cheer? There are many in the bonds 
of affliction and enshrouded in sorrow, who 
need our sympathies and w T ould gladly receive 
help in getting over the rough places in life. 
Just a word expressed from the fullness of a 
Christian heart might save them from sin and 
crime, and possibly would lead them to be 
forever happy in the pardoning love of God. 



36 Spiritual Thong lit s 

Let us be ready to do good unto all men as we 
have opportunity. 

Third. Have you a personal readiness for 
the coming of the Lord Jesus, and do you feel 
ready to enter upon the triumphant state? 
Are all roots of bitterness eradicated, and is 
sin in every form renounced ? Without full 
consecration to God we are unprepared for the 
reception of our coming King, and in view of 
our proximity to the judgment, we have need 
of immediate examination in the light of divine 
truth, so as to be sure of acceptance. "Then 
they that were ready went in " is the statement 
of our Divine Master when portraying the 
condition of his Church in the great day of 
consummation; and to be ready for this martial 
feast, our lamps must be trimmed and burning \ 
our vessels filled with oil, while watchfulness 
and prayer shall so characterize the every day 
life as to make us distinct from the world. 
"Therefore be ye also ready : for in such an 
hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. " 

"Oh, can we say we are ready, brother? 

Ready for the saints' bright home ? 

Say, will He find you and me still watching, 

Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come ?" 



For Candid Readers, 37 

RETRIBUTION. 

A violation of either moral or natural laws 
is sin; and it is an indisputable fact, that the 
return will be suitable to the merits or deserts 
of the transgressor, either in this life or at the 
final judgment. Distinction in the character 
of law demands distinction in the nature and 
time of punishment; for, while a transgression 
of physical law calls for temporal judgment 
now, the violation of moral precepts calls for 
punishment due at the judgment seat of Christ. 

Spiritual and natural laws are so nearly- 
allied that frequently the violation of one leads 
to the violation of the other: but while the mor- 
al regulations may be observed as far as 
understood, it is possible to ignorantly violate 
physical law and suffer temporal judgment or 
punishment here, for nature's law is so immu- 
table as to never change except by divine 
interposition, or supernatural power, which is 
of miraculous character; and the penalty for 
standing in opposition to nature must be paid 
in this world, whether the transgression be in 
ignorance or in the face of understanding. 
We may live in the atmosphere, but not in 



38 Spirittial ThotigJits 

fire or water. Food suitable for our natures 
moderately taken will support the physical 
structure. But if the properties which natural 
law has put into that food be separated and 
changed by mechanical processes, it may 
bring upon us disease and suffering. Undue 
exposure, extreme indolence, or over exertion, 
being contrary to nature's arrangement, is sure 
to bring ills and untimely death, while the same 
result is manifest with every misuse of the body. 

These thoughts may help us to comprehend 
the statement of Paul when he says, "Some 
men's sins are open beforehand, going before 
to judgment: and some men they follow 
after;" — 1 Tim. 5: 24. That all men do sin 
more or less by transgressing nature's laws, is 
open or manifest by the suffering consequent. 
Even the righteous have many afflictions, and 
are chastened by them. Nature calls for it, 
and her strokes are not withheld until we are 
sufficiently scourged to reform thoroughly, and 
be fitted for the Master's use. That punish- 
ment is in this life, and proves reformatory 
only to those who " are exercised thereby." 

But some men are very careful not to violate 



For Ca?idid Readers. 39 

the physical laws that govern their being, 
while at the same time they have many moral 
defects that are secret, venturing to transgress 
the regulations of God's word, thinking that 
they can do it with impunity; and even boast 
of exemption from punishment because their 
sins " follow " or "go to judgment after;" it 
being in God's order that retribution for violat- 
ing moral precepts shall be meted out in the 
great judgment day to come, when the Lord 
shall "bring to light the hidden things of dark- 
ness, and will make manifest the counsels of 
the hearts." Therefore we see the distinction 
made by inspiration is clear from this stand- 
point, for while the Arbiter of human destiny 
allows the penalty demanded by nature to be 
executed here, we may escape the punishment 
due for the transgression of moral law in the 
judgment to come, by faith in Jesus, who 
satisfies the demands of justice, and whose 
precious blood brings remission. Let us look 
to Jesus as the source of salvation. 



TRIBULATION. 
The experience of the great apostle of our 



40 Spiritual Thoughts 

Christian religion and his followers, confirms 
the fact that we must "through great tribulation 
enter into the kingdom of God." Therefore it is 
reasonable to infer that all professed Christians 
who manage to avoidthe threshing, are evidently 
destitute of divine truth, and distinctive spiritual 
force, and will ultimately fail of admittance to 
the kingdom of heaven. Acts 14: 22; Rom. 5: 
3-5; Rev. 7: 14. O Lord, help thy waiting 
ones to possess a spirit of submission and 
constancy under trial, and to everbe "rejoicing 
in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing 
instant in prayer," while they anticipate a 
glorious immortality. 



OBEDIENCE. 

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, 
for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, 
(which is the first commandment with promise, ) 
that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest 
live long on the earth." Eph. 6: 1-3. 

" O yes," says John: "that will do for little 
children, but when a fellow gets into his teens 
as I have, he wants some liberty to enjoy him- 
self. Why, there is Abe Dickens, who is only 



For Candid Readers. 41 

ten years old, and he is privileged to go where 
he pleases. Only the other day he was telling, 
me of his wonderful adventures and good times 
with the boys, and I don't understand why 
father and mother should hinder me from doing 
as he does, for I can't see any harm in it." 

Well, John, let me tell you that a boy who 
has his own way and is not taught to honour 
father and mother, is surely on the road to ruin, 
and some day you will see this to be true, for 
the unwary youth without parental guidance 
and counsel cannot see the evils to which he is 
exposed, until he is ensnared. Let me give you 
a simple illustration. 

A little mouse visited the paste-cup of a 
shoe-maker. He was hungry, and ate till sat- 
isfied. His visits were repeated, but each time 
he came the paste would stick to his whiskers 
and face, and finally covered his eyes so that he 
failed to see where he was going. 

Now while this illustration may be only a 
fable, it shows how some boys, regardless of 
father's and mother's advice and commands, 
run after the pleasures of sin untill blinded. Each 
indulgence stains him with sin that sticks like 



42 Spiritual Thoughts 

paste, and his mind becomes so contaminated 
that very soon the eyes of his understanding- 
are closed to all that is good. 

Now it is a fact, that with many boys and 
girls, the beginning of their downward course is 
disobedience to parents. Contrary to the orders 
of father and mother they will associate with 
bad boys and girls, and by these evil compan- 
ions they are induced to swear, smoke and chew 
tobacco, play checkers and euchre, and finally 
to visit the grog-shop, theatre and other bad 
places. In short, they go on from bad to worse 
until forever ruined : all because they did not 
obey father and mother. 

Now my dear young friends, I want to say 
to you, that if you wish to enjoy health and 
long life on the earth, you must "obey your 
parents in the Lord, for this is right." Yes; by 
so doing you will start right, live right, and 
come out right. 

May the Lord help ail of our young readers 
to honour their parents, and remember their 
Creator in the days of their youth, that they all 
may finally be gathered with the good of every 
age and clime, in the Paradise of God to dwell 



For Candid Readers. 43 

with Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep and 
lambs. 



THE UNRULY MEMBER. 

Physicians often decide upon the condition 
of patients by the tongue; and the antidotes are 
administered according to the indications pre- 
sented by that member. The human family is 
morally diseased ; and all who will come to the 
great Physician must make use of the remedies 
offered, to be healed; and the indications of 
improvement are determined largely by the 
tongue. If that member is used in malicious 
insinuations and exaggerations relative to what 
are considered faults in others, while the 
character is maligned and besmirched, it indi- 
cates that the remedies prescribed by the divine 
Healer have not been appropriated, for those 
remedies never fail in restoring to spiritual 
health the sin-sick soul. » 

In taming the tongue man finds himself 
comparatively powerless without the grace 
of God. For the apostle James informs us that 
"it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison," 
and that "out of the same mouth proceedeth 



44 Spiritual Thoughts 

blessing and cursing." The tongue unsanctified 
may bless us to-day and curse us to-morrow; for 
with the unregenerate sensitiveness is a promi- 
nent characteristic, and sometimes a word or act 
unguarded, with no evil intention, is miscon- 
strued and magnified until the fire of evil burns 
furiously, and then we are forcibly reminded of 
the inspired expression, " Behold, how great a 
matter a little fire kindleth. " Back-biting and 
bickering over trifles have ruined many a would- 
be Christian, while the vitiating results have 
been visible in the alienation of friends, neigh- 
bors and brethren. Hence the tongue, uncon- 
trolled by the divine element, is a mischievous 
and dangerous member, the fruits of which are 
"hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife," etc. 
Spiritual decline is often exhibited first in the 
unhallowed use of the tongue : for when 
professed followers of the dear Saviour begin to 
retail what they consider faulty in others, it is 
quite a sure evidence of shallow piety, as we 
are commanded to "speak evil of no man." 

But again. While the above misuse of the 
tongue may be avoided, it is possible for the 
unguarded to fall into another train of evil, by 



For Candid Readers. 45 

vociferously contending for apparent rights, 
and valiently defending reputation, which 
course is not in harmony with gospel principles. 
The true Christian can trust all these matters to 
our Father in heaven. Surely none can harm 
those who "are kept by the power of God 
through faith unto salvation, ready to be reveal- 
ed in the last time/' and to bear reproach and 
calumny with patience is Christ-like. 

Another line of evil comes from a useless 
exercise of the tongue, relative to vain and 
transitory things, about which there is nothing 
of lasting good or real happiness; such as 
multitudinous fashions of costume and innum- 
erable pleasure schemes, while many specu- 
lative plans of a questionable nature perhaps 
are concocted, and by which, means are 
obtained to meet the expenses attendant. 

Now it is a self-evident fact that the tongue 
thus employed is not sanctified by the Spirit of 
God, neither is the heart filled with his love: 
for "out of the abundance of the heart the 
mouth speaketh." But as we approximate the 
end of the present age, the spirit of frenzy, 
exhibited in the rattling of slanderous and 



46 Spiritual Thoughts 

foolish tongues increases alarmingly, there being 
hardly a community or even a church society 
in the land, but what is more or less honey- 
combed by this God dishonoring trait; and only 
those who are consecrated to God preparatory 
for the coming of " the Just One" will be able 
to successfully bridle the tongue and use it to 
the Lord's glory. 

The time has come when the children of 
God need more than ever to be well guarded by 
prayer and watchfulness, giving special heed to 
the apostle's injunction, " Grudge not one 
against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned; 
behold the judge standeth before the door." 
Let the light of " present truth" shine out upon 
the world not only by precept but also by ex- 
ample, while our tongues are employed in praise 
to our great Redeemer, and in expressing 
sentiments that shall bless mankind. And in 
connection with all this, let us ever remember 
the beautiful sentiment expressed in the lan- 
guage of another. 

"The tongue is the key of the mind, 
And whenever it opens the secret hung door. 
What lies in the storehouse behind, 
Whether gems or mere rubbish, is hidden 
no more." 



For Candid Readers. 47 

SANCTIFICATION. 

The lucid and elaborate articles on "Holiness 
as a Specialty/' from many able pens, calls for 
the endorsement of all who look at this subject 
from a reasonable and Scriptural standpoint, for 
it is a self-evident fact, that zm-holiness is but 
the negative of Christianity : and when professed 
followers of Christ claim the principles of pure 
religion as theirs for many months or years 
previous to their being made holy, such claim 
is soon invalidated when the light of reason and 
divine truth is brought to bear upon them. 
Moreover, in the majority of such cases, the 
deportment unfolds the awful fact of spiritual 
destitution, and more or less of hypocrisy, which 
is disgusting to the sensible and pure, and 
nauseating to the world: while devotional 
breathings from such characters are only a 
stench in the nostrils of the Most High God. 
This statement may seem rather plain; but, "we 
speak that we do know, and testify that we have 
seen;" for " by their fruits, ye shall know them." 

We would not disfavor the frequency and 
fervency of devotional exercises understanding- 
ly engaged in: for no child of grace can make 



48 Spiritual Thoughts 

his Christian life a success without constant 
communication with God. But we z#z7/ venture 
to say, that in many instances, less emotional 
worship publicly exhibited, and a better 
acquaintance with the Word of God, would be 
far more conducive to personal advancement in 
pure and undefiled religion. 

In the strict sense of the term a Christian is 
pure and holy: and this fact is so evinced, that 
the one thus denominated is not obliged to go 
about advertising his goodness, for his words 
and acts will indicate what is in the heart; and 
if sin be eradicated, the moral nature is reno- 
vated, and the new creature in Christ Jesus 
produced. In this condition the members of 
the body are easily controlled. 

The tongue is so bridled that no more of 
slander and misrepresentation will fall from the 
lips thus sanctified by the divine Spirit, neither 
will there be in such an heart a disposition of 
evil, ready to take advantage of another's 
unavoidable misfortune in life. Maliciousness 
and all roots of bitterness are gone, and good 
will to men has taken their place. The cause 
of God and its advocates have often suffered 



For Candid Readers. 49 

from mischief-makers of a nominally sanctified 
type, whose chief delight is in meddling with 
the private affairs of other people. Oh, that 
such would get acquainted with God and his 
precious Word which admonishes all who 
anticipate acceptance when Jesus comes, as 
follows: "But as touching brotherly love ye 
neednotthat I write unto you: forye yourselves 
are taught of God to love one another, .... 
and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your 
own business, and to work with your own 
hands, as we commanded you." (1 Thes. 4: 9-1 1). 
" But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as 
a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in 
other men's matters." (1 Pet. 4: 15). "It is an 
honor for a man to cease from strife: but every 
fool will be meddling. " (Prov. 2c: 3.). May 
the dear Lord help all whose eyes fall upon 
these lines, to occupy the honorable position, 
through " sanctification of the Spirit and belief 
of the truth/' and thus be chosen to salvation in 
the world to come. 

Finally, "be patient, therefore, brethren, 
stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord 
draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another. 



50 Spiritual Thoughts 

lest ye be condemned: behold the Judge stand- 
eth before the door.'' Let each seek to emulate 
the virtues of others and be fully sanctified to 
God. 



RESTITUTION. 

Much of interest to the Adamic race is in- 
volved in the long anticipated restoration fore- 
told by holy seers, and soon to be consummated. 
With the prophetic telescope the vista of time 
was scanned, and events were discovered in 
consecutive train, which unfold human history, 
and ultimate redemption in the earth made new. 
And while the night of gloom and sorrow has 
been long, many pilgrims have been cheered 
by the rays of prophetic light which have fallen 
upon their pathway, and now the blessed assur- 
ance of immediate restitution is so elating that 
we exclaim, Come Lord Jesus ! 

Restitution in a Bible sense embraces that 
which was lost, on specifications made in the 
divine economy. " For the Son of man is come 
to seek and to save that which was lost." And 
when the rightful heir shall come to remove the 
curse and claim his own, earth that is now 



For Candid Readers. 51 

groaning- will be brought back to its pristine 
beauty and loveliness: for the Lord hath said: — 
"Behold, I create new heavens and a new 
earth: and the former shall not be remembered, 
nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice 
forever in that which I create: for behold, I 
create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a 
joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in 
my people: and the voice of weeping shall be 
no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying." 
Isa. 65: 17-19. 

While the above prediction was made nearly 
seven hundred years before Christ, we have a 
full corroboration in prophetic vision, by the 
holy Seer on Patmos, when he says: — "And I 
saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first 
heaven and the first earth were passed away, 
and there was no more sea. And I John saw 
the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down 
from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride 
adorned for her husband. And I heard a great 
voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the taber- 
nacle of God is with men: andhe will dwell with 
them, and they shall be his people, and God 
himself shall be with them, and be their God. 



52 Spiritual Thoughts 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their 
eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither 
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any 
more pain: for the former things are passed 
away. And he that sat upon the throne said, 
Behold I make all things new.'' 

This, dear reader, is the plan of restitutio?! 
epitomized: and thousands have found comfort 
and consolation in it, while waiting for the times 
of refreshing, and the coming of the Lord. 
Surely the hope of such a glorious restitution as 
predicted in the divine record, eclipses all other 
plans for the counteraction of evil and sorrow: 
and while the elements of strife and disintegra- 
tion pervade all classes of society, more or less, 
we can rejoice to know by unmistakable evi- 
dences, that the restitution period will be intro- 
duced in the near future, and then peace and joy 
everlasting shall be ours. May the Lord sanctify 
these thoughts to the good of the afflicted and 
sorrowing, is the earnest prayer of the author. 



ORGANIZATION. 

In consideration of the relations included in 
such a state or condition as that of persons col- 



For Candid Re 'aders. 53 

lectively organized, the principles of government 
should be observed in adoption and execution, in 
order that the body retain its moral vigor and 
continue its existence: for when the principles 
of life are ignored or eschewed, languor and 
corruption ensues. This is emphatically true of 
religious orders founded upon righteousness, in 
regulations divine, with objects heaven born, 
and the amelioration of all concerned as the 
ultimatum. The Lord's ways are equal: and in 
his order of government there is no confusion 
or jargon. But in the various circles of men, 
we find inequality exhibited, and disorder ram- 
pant, resulting in more or less of hostility: and' 
the moral aspect of the present times is truly 
saddening, when viewed from a political, relig- 
ious and social standpoint. For the time has 
come when even the nominal Church of Gcd is 
so honeycombed with disregard for justice and 
goodness, that the good are in danger of being 
devoured. 

Now that God has instituted rules of a right- 
eous character, to regulate the practice, manners, 
or conduct of his people in church order, is a 
fact undeniable: and that there are some religious 



54 Spiritual Thoughts 

bodies living up to these divine rules, is not at 
all improbable. But that exceptions of a sad 
nature come under our observation is true: and 
when a church becomes the rendezvous for the 
contentious and malicious, it is better to stand 
aloof from such fraternity, and look to God for 
special help in individual effort. 

That the times in which we are now living 
are extremely perilous, is a fact supported by the 
duplication of prophetic asseverations and can- 
did observation: and while the perils predicted 
are in religious circles, it behooves those who 
"wait for God's Son from heaven/' to refuse 
affiliation in organizations that are impure, un- 
merciful, and worldly minded. Let us stand for 
God and truth, though we stand alone, rather 
than endorse the violation of the first principles 
of the Christian religion and be in jeopardy. 

But, if any are within the reach of a Christian 
order where God fs~honored, his truth endorsed 
and adopted, and righteousness governs, it is 
well to identify yourself with such a body: for 
as Christians we need the association and help 
of the good and pure, as united effort invariably 
brings happy and profitable results to those 
engaged under the supervision of Christ. 



For Candid Readers. 55 

May all of God's waiting children, associated 
in church capacity, be so full of love to their 
living- head, and for each other, as that mercy 
and goodness shall characterize every act, and 
so govern their thoughts and utterances, that un- 
believers will take knowledge of their having 
been with Jesus and learned of him, is our pray- 
er. "Grudge not one against another, brethren, 
lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge stand- 
eth before the door." James 5-9. 



THE PREDOMINATING EVIL. 

Of all the evils rampant in these last days, 
none exceeds that of licentiousness, which is the 
bane of this nineteenth century. Thousands 
are allured and morally polluted by resting in 
the embrace of fleshly lust. Thoughtless and 
unguarded youth easily fall a prey to this evil 
which is so prevalent: and therefore the time 
has come when parents should exercise more 
rigid government, while those who bear the 
gospel message should lift the voice of warning 
in stentorian notes, that the unwary may be 
aroused to a sense of their danger, and flee to 
Christ for protection: for He and He only, can 



56 Spiritztal Thoughts 

safely guide us over the sea of life, that abounds 
in perils — but none is greater than this maelstrom 
of licentiousness. 

The loose manner in which the reins of 
family government are handled, is one principal 
cause of the increase of this evil : for 
children are allowed to go when and where 
they please, regardless of contamination; 
while not infrequently mothers who are blinded 
by the curse of premature society contact, put 
their children forward at a very early period in 
life, before discernment and discretion are fairly 
associated with reason, and their moral nature 
being susceptible to evil through the channel of 
lust, they easily yield to the vitiating influences 
brought to bear upon them. Many a mother has 
shed bitter tears of sorrow because of ruin 
brought upon her daughter in this way. If parents 
could understand the fact that moral culture is of 
far greater importance than the cultivation of 
society qualifications, there would be much less 
of mental and financial strain in aping the 
world, and associating with the ungodly, and 
much less of sorrow would be experienced. 

Mental culture, and moral refinement are right 



For Candid Readers. 57 

in a degree commensurate with divine precepts. 
But the social, simpering- refinement of the 
fashionable and vain, resulting largely from 
the perusal of fiction, is often allied to and 
just precedes licentiousness. Oh, that some 
may be snatched as brands from the burn- 
ing before the judgments of God are poured out 
upon a wicked and adulterous generation, which 
is characterized by the sins of Sodom, whose 
relative position and moral status foreshadowed 
the moral condition of the last generation in this 
age: for we learn from the Lord Jesus that "Like- 
wise also as it was in the days of Lot, they did 
eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they 
planted, they builded: but the same day that 
Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brim- 
stone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even 
thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man 
is revealed.' 7 

How remarkably the Apostle Peter, in eluci- 
dating this subject, coincides with the foregoing 
statement of our Lord, when he informs us that 
God spared neither sinful angels, nor unright- 
eous antediluvians: "and turning the cities of 
Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned 



58 Spiritual Thoughts 

them with an overthrow, making them an en- 
sample unto those that after should live ungodly: 
and delivered just Lot vexed with the filthy con- 
versation of the wicked: (for that righteous man 
dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, 
vexed his righteous soul from day to day with 
their unlawful deeds:) the Lord knovveth how to 
deliver the godly out of temptations and to 
reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to 
be punished, but chiefly them that walk after the 
flesh in the lust of uncleanness: and despise 
government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, 
they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. v 
As a climax in confirmatory testimony, Jude 
says: " Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the 
cities about them in like manner, giving them- 
selves over to fornication, and going after 
strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffer- 
ing the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also 
these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise 
dominion, and speak evil of dignities.' 7 

Paul also specifies the works of the flesh, and 
includes as a prominent evil the sin of adultery, 
stating that "they which do such things shall 
not inherit the kingdom of God." 



For Candid Readers. 59 

Much more of a confirmatory nature might 
be adduced from the divine record, but with the 
foregoing indubitable quotations of divine au- 
thority, we leave this important subject for the 
consideration of the thoughtful, hoping that 
every Christian reader will do all he or she can 
to rescue the fallen. 



THE TIME OF TRIAL. 
Loyalty to God and his cause is a leading 
feature in the Christian life under all circum- 
stances — adverse or favorable; for in divine 
order, the time of trial precedes the time of 
exaltation in glory: and the test of fidelity 
must be applied now. No plea of impediment 
or inability will excuse laxity or remissness in 
the discharge of duty: for faithfulness will 
characterize all the words and works of the 
true disciple of Jesus. v 

But that we have come to a special period 
of deep trial for the people of God, is apparent 
to all candid and careful observers of our times, 
and the deliniation of the same by Holy 
Prophets and Apostles. This period may not 
furnish the martyrologist with thrilling tragedies, 



60 Spiritual Thoughts 

as in ages past, but christian experience supports 
the indubitable fact of terrible convulsions in 
the moral nature of man, producing alienation 
and disintegration, in all branches of society: 
and especially does this feudal spirit become 
alarming when it enters the sacred realms of 
the Church militant, severing holy bonds, and 
lacerating christian hearts. 

Affiliation with the world has rendered the 
nominal church of to-day, oblivious to practical 
duties and the prophetical line of thought, 
which is so inspiring to the true child of grace; 
and because of this, the consecrated sons and 
daughters of the Most High are rejected, 
despised, persecuted and scorned, while in 
isolation and obscurity they cry, ' "Jesus, 
come, oh, come to reign." 

The time has come when but few, com- 
paratively, have stamina and grace sufficient 
to " earnestly contend for the faith once 
delivered unto the saints," and he who takes a 
firm stand for God and "present truth," must 
be so devoted that he can from a full heart 
exclaim, 



For Candid Readers. 61 

"My all to Christ I've given, 

My talents, time, and voice: 

Myself, my reputation, 

The lone way is my choice." 

Amid the gloom and strife attending earth's 

closing scenes there is joy and consolation in 

the blessed hope of speedy deliverance, for we 

are assured by the prophet Daniel that in " the 

time of the end," many shall be purified, and 

made white, and tried," while the apostle 

James says "Happy the man who endures 

trial-, because having become an approved 

person, he will receive the crown of life, which 

the Lord promised to those who love him." 

(Em Diag. ) 

It is truly saddening to witness the estrange- 
ment so prevalent in domestic circles and 
church relations: evidencing a want of natural 
affection, while the professed christian love for 
brethren is feigned: and because of this, the 
lonely care-worn pilgrim is almost disheartened. 
But dear fellow traveler, let us bear in mind, 
that these deep trials develop and strengthen 
the christian graces, while with the Psalmist 
we may say, "This poor man cried, and the 



62 Spiritual Thoughts 

Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his 
troubles/' Psa. 34-6. The carnal nature in 
men is such, that they may in shallow judg- 
ment, separate the humble, afflicted child of 
grace from their company, and say all manner 
of evil against them falsely for Christ's sake. 
All this may be permitted by a wise providence, 
but we read, "Happy is the man whom God 
correcteth: therefore despise not thou the 
chastening of the Almighty: for he maketh 
sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his 
hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in 
six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil 
touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee 
from death; and in war from the power of the 
sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of 
the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of 
destruction when it cometh. " 

Evidently great evils are soon to befall the 
nations, and as we approximate the end, we 
shall be sorely tried. But thank God we have 
been called out by way of distinction in the 
Philadelphia!! period of the Church, when the 
angel of heaven was commissioned to say, 
"Because thou hast kept the word of my 



Fo r Ca n did R ea ders , 6 3 

patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of 
temptation, which shall come upon all the world, 
to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, 
I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, 
that no man take thy crown." 

May God help both reader and writer to 
"endure hardness as good soldiers of the 
cross/' that we may in the great day of con- 
summation enter upon the fruition of promises 
exceeding great and precious: and while in 
this vale of tears we wait for the inauguration 
of the tearless, painless, and deathless kingdom 
in Paradise restored, let us all view each other 
in the clear sunlight of charity and good nature. 



"THIS GENERATION." 

Under this head we submit a few thoughts 
for the consideration of those who love our 
Saviour's appearing: and without stopping to 
discuss the propriety of applying the term 
"generation" to a class of people (as some 
expositors have,) instead of making it a period 
of time, we will state that in prophetic vision 
Christ is down near the close of this age, when 
he says, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree: 



64 Spiritual Thoughts 

When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth 
leaves, ye know that Summer is nigh: so like- 
wise ye, when ye shall see all these things 
(signs,) know that it (or he) is near, even at the 
doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation 
shall not pass till all these things (signs) be 
fulfilled."— -Matt 24: 3 2 ~34. 

In obtaining a right understanding of this 
matter, we have need to couple the disciples' 
interrogations with this terminal prophecy re- 
o-ardine the witness of the last serial events, as 

o o 

forerunners of his coming. The disciples say, 
"Tell us .... what shall be the sign (not time) 
of thy coming, and of the end of the world ? " 
Now, may we not, without doing violence to 
the true principles of exegesis, fairly deduce 
what may yet prove a fact, that the coming of 
Jesus is not included in the statement. "This 
generation shall not pass, till all these things 
be fulfilled ? " Mark, it is the signs or precursors 
of our Saviours coming and the end of this age 
that are specified in reply to the questions 
asked: while following the passage under con- 
sideration, he has repeatedly cut us short of 
knowing the definite time of his personal 



For Candid Readers. 65 

appearing. " Take ye lieed, watch and pray : 
for ye know not when the time is/' 

Believing, as many dear brethren have in the 
past, that Christ would come before the gener- 
ation spoken of passed away, and that he would 
surely appear at the ending of the prophetic 
periods, they have removed the landmarks from 
one point to another, failing to bear in mind 
that, as to periods pointing to events in the 
history of this age, God made no mistake in 
the beginning of this adventual movement; and 
hence disappointment has attended their mis- 
calculations and computations. Looking at 
the subject from this standpoint, it seems that 
if these brethren had understood that the signs 
would come to pass before the generation ended, 
while the coming of the Bridegroom would be 
after, then their position would have been valid 
and incontrovertible. Now that these wonder- 
ful predictions of our Saviour are all fulfilled, 
and the generation passed, (if it mean a period 
of time) we are truly in the waiting time, 
watching and praying for the coming of the 
Just One: as we know not the definite time of 
deliverance, but feel confident "it is near, even 



66 Spiritual Thoughts 

at the doors" and therefore we expect to be 
translated at any day or hour in the immediate 
future. 

Oh, glorious day that brings us full release 
from temptation, sorrow and death! Then 
" mortality shall be swallowed up of life," and 
we shall join in the glad refrain — the new song 
—saying, 

"Thou art worthy for thou wast slain, 

and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out 
of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and 
nation; and hast made us unto our God kings 
and priests; and we shall reign on the earth" 
May the Lord help both reader and writer to 
live righteously and godly, until the consum- 
mation of our blessed hope in the Paradise of 
God. 



THE POWER OF GOD. 

In the ninth chapter of Romans and the 
twenty-first verse we find the following words, 
" Hath not the potter power over the clay, of 
the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, 
and another unto dishonour ? " 



For Candid Readers . 67 

Reader, here is a question asked. Can you 
answer it? We shall not be surprised if you 
say no, for we apprehend there are thousands 
of people who, having never beheld the won- 
derful operation on the wheels, are entirely 
ignorant in regard to the power which the 
potter has over the clay. 

This very curious, and ancient art is often 
referred to by the writers of the Bible, (Psa. 1 1 : 
9; Lam. 4: 2; Rev. 11: 27; Jere. 19: 10-11.) 

These passages serve to illustrate to a 
certain extent the power of God as manifested 
over nations, individuals, and especially in the 
resurrection of the dead. 

For instance, the prophet Jeremiah com- 
pares the destruction of a nation to the break- 
ing of a potter's bottle, which can never be made 
whole again. Now the potter's bottle, which is 
formed of clay, is first dried and then burned in a 
furnace, or what is properly called a kiln, which 
makes it sufficiently hard to be of service. There- 
fore, no chemist has ever prepared a cement 
which will make whole the burned bottle that has 
been broken. So it is with nations. If they be- 
come so corrupt in the sight of God as to be 



68 Spiritual Thoughts 

destroyed by him, they can never be made 
whole again. 

Again, the apostle compares individuals to 
clay in the hands of the potter. The bottle 
which is formed of clay, may first be a vessel 
of honour, then if marred it is made a 
vessel of dishonour. So man who was formed 
of dust of the ground, came from his maker's 
hand a vessel of honour, but was soon marred, 
dishonoured by sin. 

Now before the bottle is hardened and burn- 
ed, the potter is able to make of it, (same lump) 
another vessel, to dishonour. 

So man (being a free actor and superior to 
the inanimate clay) by rejecting eternal life 
and choosing evil, is marred by sin, and comes 
forth in the resurrection a vessel of dishonour. 

We look around and behold men upon every 
hand that suffer even in this life because of the 
sins which they have committed. Vessels of 
dishonour. Thus the power of God is manifest 
over individuals, and the passage of Scripture 
under consideration instead of doing away with 
free moral action as some have supposed, sus- 
tains the doctrine, and proves to us very 



For Candid Readers, 69 

explicitly the power of God as manifested in 
the resurrection of the dead, both of the just 
and unjust. 

That Paul wrote and preached a great deal 
about the resurrection, cannot be denied, and as 
proof that he was now referring to this subject, 
mark his language. " Hath not the potter 
power over the clay, of the same lump to make 
one vessel unto honour, and another unto dis- 
honour ?" 

The potter is able to take a lump of clay 
and make a good vessel, then mar or destroy 
its form; yet it is the same lump. Likewise 
man, who is of the earth earthy, being marred 
by sin, returns to dust again. But as the pot- 
ter has power to reconstruct another vessel of 
the same lump, so God has power in the res- 
urrection day to reconstruct or raise to life the 
same dust that was entombed years ago. 

But Paul continues this subject by saying 
in the context. "What if God, willing to show 
his wrath and to make his power known, en- 
dured with much long suffering the vessels of 
wrath, fitted to destruction ?" That is, God 
endures with much long suffering the vessels 



jo Spirittial Thong Jits 

of wrath, or sinful men who reject the offers 
of mercy, and persist in evil doing, which make 
them vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 
therefore when the dead are raised, they will 
be judged according to their deeds; those who 
have served God faithfully during probation 
will be raised vessels of honour: while others 
that have served the evil one will be raised 
vessels of dishonour. It is true, to the wicked 
this doctrine is not pleasing, but to the right- 
eous it is glad tidings. 

Reader, if you are striving with the saints 
of the Most High to make your calling and 
election sure, may God help you: but if you 
are seeking for pleasure in this world, and 
walking with the multitude in the road to death, 
let me admonish you as a friend to seek the 
Lord while he may be found and call upon him 
while he is near, that you may be accepted at 
the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 



CHRISTIAN SCIENCE. 

Various and intricate are the devices of 
Satan in these last days, when formalism is so 
predominant that the cloak of religion is used 



For Candid Readers. yi 

to cover the deformity and virus of every hydra- 
headed system born of sin. But of all the the- 
oretical schemes of recent production, none is 
more seductive nor better calculated to impose 
upon the credulous than "Christian Science " 
falsely so called. 

The founder of this new phase of spiritual- 
istic development which sets at naught the 
physiological and medical observation of the 
past and present is Mrs. B. G. Eddy, of Boston, 
Mass., who informs the public that she passed 
through a wonderful experience in 1866 where- 
by she recovered "immediately from the effect 
of an injury that neither surgery nor materia 
medica could reach." Then it was, she " receiv- 
ed spiritual illumination which enabled her to 
give the Bible a new meaning." After three 
years of withdrawal from society, to meditate 
on her new mission, she then published her 
"Science and Health," which is the text book 
of the Christian Scientists. 

Her philosophy is briefly stated in the 
language of another, viz. : The divine mind 
and its ideas are the only realities: matter, sin, 
sickness and death are non-realities. Starting 



J 2 Spiritual Thoughts 

from this notion it is claimed that her mode of 
healing was that of Christ. It is also said that 
while individuals may be benefitted in some 
degree by an " unconscious assent to its prin- 
ciples/' in order to come "into full liberty and 
power we must possess the key of knowledge." 
This means that a course of instruction should 
be taken in Mrs. Eddy's college. 

Mrs. Eddy calls disease " a thing of 
thought; fear is the procurator of the thought 
which causes sickness and suffering." "What 
seems to be disease and mortality are illusions 
of the physical senses." " Disease is a condi- 
tion to which any individual of the human race 
is liable, exists in the common or universal 
mind." 

Now this would-be Christian view is truly 
a theoretical monstrosity that needs but very 
little shaking to expose its incompatibility with 
the Bible, reason and common sense; for that 
matter, sin, sickness and death are realities, is 
supported by philosophical principles and 
practically verified. But it is claimed that 
many cures have been wrought by "Christian 
Science." "Unfortunately," says one writer, 



For Candid Readers. 73 

"there is just now no opportunity to test Mrs. 
Eddy's power to heal, as she informs the pub- 
lic that she 'takes no patients and has no time 
for medical consultation/" 

Professor Townsend of the Boston Univer- 
sity, publicly offered her $1,000 if she or her 
entire college of doctors would put into place 
a real case of hip or ankle dislocation without 
resorting to the ordinary manipulations, and 
further offered $2,000 if they would give sight 
to one of the inmates of the South Boston 
asylum for the blind. Mrs. Eddy replied in 
her journal that if she "should accept his bid 
he would lose the money," because she "per- 
formed more difficult feats fifteen years ago." 
"At present, " she continued, "I am in another 
department of Christian work, where there shall 
no sign be given them." The writer referred 
to considers this little better than the evasion 
of a quack. 

That many have been healed by the power 
of God in direct answer to the prayer of faith 
which shall save the sick, is not to be doubted 
for a moment; but that God employs as agents, 
spiritualistic mediums, who stand in opposition 



74 Spiritual Thoughts 

to plain Bible teachings, is an idea born of ab- 
surdity, and an outrage upon reason and com- 
mon sense, notwithstanding the claim to 
Christianity and the principles of science, for 
the Bible is in harmony with primitive nature 
and a true philosophical basis on every line: 
but fanaticism of the darkest type seizes upon 
many would-be teachers of the present age, and 
hence the injunction of Paul to his son Timothy 
is written for our instruction, that we too may 
avoid the various phases of satanic delusion, 
which increases alarmingly as we approximate 
the end. 

"O Timothy, keep that which is committed 
to thy trust, (the word of God), avoiding profane 
and vain babblings and oppositions of science 
falsely so called, which some professing have 
erred concerning the faith." These thoughts 
we present as a warning to the unwary and for 
the serious consideration of the thoughtful, for 
many are being carried away with this late de- 
lusion, "Christian Science." With a knowl- 
edge #/~and obedience to divine truth, accom- 
panied by the Spirit of God in our hearts, we 
may be preserved blameless unto the coming 



For Candid Readers. 75 

and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us 
continually watch and pray, and ever look to 
Jesus as our Saviour, Physician and prospective 
Kinof. 



AMBITION. 

In the common acceptation of the term, am- 
bition implies force, energy, push: either mental 
or physical: but that it originated in a bad sense, 
and operates in the order of a base passion, will 
be apparent by observation and investigation. 
In the absolute sense of the word, the ambitious 
class of intelligent beings have an aversion to 
superiors, and authority they despise. Emula- 
tion brings into action all of the ambient forces 
to gain the ascendency, even at the sacrifice of 
principle and integrity: while not infrequently 
physical disaster follows. This fact is verified 
by many who have sought for positions of 
honour, and in fierce contest have experienced 
moral insensibility, mental aberration, and bro- 
ken constitution. 

Many authors, poets and statesmen, havehad 
different views of the origin and influence of this 
passion. By some it has been deduced from 



y6 Spiritual Thoughts 

the gods themselves: and it has been represent- 
ed as glowing- in the breasts of kings, heroes, 
statesmen and philosophers. But this was not 
the testimony of one who had tasted of all its 
sweets, who had climbed all of its giddy heights, 
and who, alas ! had fathomed all of its treach- 
erous depths, for, says he, — Cromwell, "I 
charge thee, fling away ambition ! for by that 
mad passion the angels from heaven fell ! " Out 
of this satanic passion springs the bitter envies 
and jealousies of the professions, the despair 
and the vexations of poverty, and the hatreds of 
sectarianism. Both the civil and ecclesiastical 
atmosphere of our world is so terribly burden- 
ed with this bane of human nature, that thou- 
sands of victims are sacrificed upon its altar. 
From Rome, the great centre of mystical drag- 
onic power, has come an influence which has 
been for centuries, gradually embracing the 
nations, until we find in Church and state, this 
" inordinate desire of preferment, honour, supe- 
riority, or power,'' universally prevailing. As 
the result our political institutions are corrupted, 
honour has departed, and hydra-headed anarchy 
is rising up, with the wings of ambition to speed 



For Candid Readers. yy 

it on. Our Church institutions are depleted and 
demoralized by the innovations of the arrogant 
and sensual christians (?) who love pleasure 
and rivalry more than God, while the semi-moral 
influence is neutralized. 

But that our readers maybe individually prof- 
ited by this article, let us note the physical and 
mental results of ambition. The influence of 
this passion on the natural heart deserves more 
than ordinary attention: for the failure of the 
functions of that organ is often attributable to 
the depletion, ofthe systemby over-work, anxiety 
and excitement. It is said of England's great- 
est orator, the illustrious lord Chatham, "Hav- 
ing delivered a speech in Parliament, he was 
replied to in no very courteous language, when 
he arose under a tower of passion, to retort, and 
fell down in a swoon, from which he never 
recovered/' 

The hazards of trade, and the anxieties of 
commerce, when men have heavMy laden ships 
tossed upon the bosom of every ocean, the long 
nights of sleepless anxiety and doubt, whether 
vessels deeply laden with the wealth of the 
Indies, long over due, will ever enter port: the 



78 Spiritual TJionghts 

rivalries of trade, when men are pitting against 
each other in business: all grounded in ambition, 
the mad passion for preeminent success: such 
mental perturbations and excitements, being re- 
flected upon the human heart, produce a fearful 
amount of disease in that organ and brings 
many to an untimely grave. 

The perplexities and cares in household 
duties, associated with an inordinate desire to vie 
with the rich in fashionable dress, furniture and 
furnishings of modern style, the extravagance 
in luxurious living, all because of the unholy 
ambition of the housewife, has abruptly ended 
her existence, and financially embarrassed her 
husband, who is left in sorrow. Had she been 
satisfied with the plain comforts of life, she might 
have lived to a good old age, while the happiness 
of herself and family would have been greatly 
promoted. 

But this spirit of preferment and rivalry does 
not stop with the parent, for it is imparted to 
the offspring. Often do we see the young, fad- 
ing, sickening, and dying because of fashionable 
dress. While many are ruined in health, not a 
few are moral and mental wrecks, by contami- 



For Candid Readers. 79 

nation in schools, and continuous mental strain. 
It is not in vain that God inspired his servants 
to write, "Of making many books there is no 
end: and much study is a weariness to the 
flesh." "For in much wisdom (earthly) is 
much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge 
increaseth sorrow." "For it is written, I will 
destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring 
to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 
Where is the wise? where is the scribe ? where 
is the disputer of this world? hath not God 
made foolish the wisdom of this world ? " 

If we would see our young men and women 
enter the arena of life, qualified for all its 
activities, in health and happiness, let us care- 
fully guard their morals, and see that the 
mental powers are not overtaxed. "Fling 
away the mad passion of ambition," and let 
reason occupy her throne, then we may see 
true manhood and womanhood acting in the 
sphere that nature has provided. Mental 
culture is proper and profitable in a degree that 
health and circumstances permit: but moral en- 
dowments are of greater value, and these should 
be intensified by the impartation of divine 
truth, and the bearing of holy influences. 



80 Spiritual Thoughts. 

But, lest the reader be misled in conclusions 
drawn from the foregoing", we now present more 
definitely the deleterious effects of unholy am- 
bition upon the moral heart, or endowment of 
man, and this brings us to practical religion. 
The heart being the fountain of life, both in the 
natural and supernatural development and 
support of man, we find the operations of one 
analogous to the other: for heart failure in the 
moral sense, is attributable to the enervation 
of man's powers by being "overcharged with 
the cares of this life," and amalgamation with 
the world. 

When christians ( ? ) are so wedded to 
church party, that rivalry comes in by way 
of gambling and amusements of questionable 
character in the house of God, and are so full 
of emulation that "Idolatry, witchcraft, 
hatred, variance,.... .'wrath, strife, seditions, 
heresies, are cropping out, the moral nature 
must be greatly diseased, and some day it will 
terminate in heart failure, — that is, the moral 
sensibilities will be dead, Dead! The unholy 
ambition of church members and the coopera- 
tion of worldly pastors, in seeking for 



For Candid Readers, 8 1 

preferment and self-aggrandizement, is bringing 
many into a spiritual decline; and death, the 
wages of sin, will be their portion. 

Personal ambition and submission to God 
seems to be incompatible: for while the first 
embraces our will in supremacy, the latter is 
humble subjection to the will of God. Hence, 
the exclusion of ambitious principles does not 
sink us in the mire of sloth and inactivity, for 
those principles are superseded by the more en- 
nobling element, courage, evinced in meekly 
doing the will of our Master in heaven. 

With this element grounded upon faith, we 
are to reach out for higher attainments, adding 
"knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, 
brotherly kindness, and charity: for if these 
things be in you, and abound, they make you, 
that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful 
in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." "Be 
kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly 
love: in honour preferring one another: not 
slothful in business, fervent in spirit: serving 
the Lord: rejoicing in hope: patient in tribu- 
lation: continuing instant in prayer: distributing 
to the necessity of saints: given to hospitality/' 



82 Spiritual Thoughts 

Surely these righteous principles exclude the 
ambition of carnal nature, and establish us in 
the road to physical and mental attainments, 
that far exceed the earthly. Our preferment 
is for others. We are prompt in all of our 
business transactions, and our service to God 
is not slack, while our christian graces shine so 
brilliantly that others are profited and partake 
of our joy and peace. A most glorious and 
happy condition to be in. 

Almost invariably we find absolute arro- 
gancy to be the legitimate fruitage of unbridled 
ambition: and the Lord says by his prophets, 
" I will punish the world for their evil, and the 
wicked for their iniquity: and I will cause the 
arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay 
low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make 
a man more precious than fine gold: even a 
man than the golden wedge of Ophir. " " Talk 
no more so exceeding proudly: let not arro- 
gancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is 
a God of knowledge, and by him actions are 
weighed. " ' ' The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: 
pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and 
the fro ward mouth, do I hate." 



For Candid Readers. 83 

Now in contrast with all this, we learn that 
full submission in the divine order, results in 
the elevation of humanity here, and bears the 
fruit of glorious exaltation in the world to come: 
for the unerring rule of inspiration is, "Submit 
yourselves therefore to God, .... Humble your- 
selves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall 
lift you up." "When men are cast down, 
then thou shalt say, There is lifting up: and 
he shall save the humble person." " And who- 
soever shall exalt himself shall be abased: and 
he that shall humble himself, shall be exalted." 
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves 
unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one 
to another, and be clothed with humility: for 
God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to 
the humble. Humble yourselves therefore 
under the mighty hand of God, that he may 
exalt you in due time." 

Again we repeat with greater emphasis the 
language of Cromwell. " Fling away ambition; 
for by that mad passion the angels from heaven 
fell" Let not disgrace or disaster come to us 
by its indulgence: but like Moses of old, let 
meekness characterize the deportment of all 



84 Spiritual Thoughts 

who are watching and waiting for the glorious 
appearing of him who was "meek and lowly 
in heart/' and by submission to his Father 
proved himself a paragon of goodness. May 
God help us to be like Jesus in character now, 
that we may be like him in nature " when he 
shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to 
be admired in all them that believe." 



THE STATE OF THE CHURCH. 

Gradually, and perhaps unconsciously, the 
nominal devotees of our Protestant religion are 
duplicating the prophecies relative to the apos- 
tasy of our times, approximating in no small 
degree the trend of life, so peculiar to the 
mystical mother of harlots: verifying the scrip- 
tural proverb, "As is the mother, so is her 
daughter." But with pleasure we note the 
special move of God's people who, in response 
to the heavenly injunction, "Come out of her, 
my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, 
and that ye receive not of her plagues," are 
coming to the front in grand distinction, while 
Zion's true watchmen are lifting the voice of 



For Candid Readers. 85 

warning. Devoted and sagacious leaders in 
ecclesiastical circles are becoming much alarm- 
ed in relation to " the state of the church, " in 
these days, and are earnestly calling for reform. 
Prominent among this class is Bishop R. S. 
Foster, of the M. E. church, whose brief and 
pungent statements we here subjoin for the 
perusal of our readers who are interested in 
these things. 

"The church of God is to-day courting the 
world. Its members are trying to bring it 
down to the level of the ungodly. The ball, 
the theatre, nude and lewd art, social luxuries, 
with all their loose moralities, are making in- 
roads into the sacred inclosure of the church, 
and as a satisfaction for all this worldliness, 
Christians are making a great deal of Lent and 
Easter and Good Friday, and church orna- 
mentations. It is the old trick of Satan. The 
Jewish church struck on that rock. The Rom- 
ish church was wrecked on the same, and the 
Protestant church is fast reaching the same 
doom. 

Our great dangers, as we see them, are 
assimilation to the world, neglect of the poor, 



86 Spiritual Thoughts 

substitution of the form for the fact of godliness, 
abandonment of discipline, a hireling ministry, 
an impure gospel, which summed up, is a 
fashionable church. 

Do not Methodists, in violation of God's 
Word and their own discipline, dress as extrava- 
gantly and fashionably as any other class ? Do 
not the ladies, and often the wives and daugh- 
ters of the ministry, put on " gold and pearls 
and costly array?" Would not the plain dress 
insisted upon by J. Wesley, Bishop Asbury, and 
worn by Hester Ann Rogers, Lady Huntington, 
and many others equally distinguished, be now 
regarded in Methodist circles as fanaticism ? 
Can any one going into a Methodist church in 
any of our chief cities distinguish the attire of 
the communicants from that of theatre and ball 
goers ? 

Is not the worldliness seen in the music ? 
Elaborately dressed and ornamented choirs, 
who in many cases make no profession of 
religion and are often sneering skeptics, go 
through a cold, artistic or operatic performance, 
which is as much out of harmony with spiritual 
worship as an opera or theatre. Under such 



For Candid Readers. 87 

worldly performances spirituality is frozen to 
death. 

Formerly every Methodist attended class 
and gave testimony* of experimental religion. 
Now the class-meeting is attended by very few, 
and in many churches abandoned. 

Seldom the stewards, trustees and leaders 
of the church attend class. Formerly nearly 
every Methodist prayed, testified or exhorted 
in prayer-meeting. Now but very few are 
heard. Formerly shouts and praises were 
heard: now such demonstrations of holy enthu- 
siasm and joy are regarded as fanaticism. 

Worldly socials, fairs, festivals, concerts, 
and such like, have taken the place of the re- 
ligious gatherings, revival meetings, class and 
prayer meetings, of earlier days. How true 
that the Methodist discipline is a dead letter. 
Its rules forbid the wearing of gold, or pearls, 
or costly array: yet no one ever thinks of dis- 
ciplining its members for violating them. They 
forbid the reading of such books and the taking 
of such diversions as do not minister to godli- 
ness, yet the church itself goes into shows, 
and frolics, and festivals, and fairs, which de- 



88 Spiritual Thoughts 

stroy the spiritual life of the young as well as 
the old. The extent to which it is now carried 
on is appalling. The spiritual death it carries 
in its train will only be known when the 
millions it has swept into hell stand before the 
judgment. 

The early Methodist ministers went forth 
to sacrifice and suffer for Christ. They sought 
not the places of ease and affluence, but of 
privation and suffering. They gloried not in 
their big salaries, fine parsonages, and refined 
congregations, but in the souls that had been 
won for Jesus. Oh, how changed ! A hireling 
ministry will be a feeble, a timid, a truckling, 
a time-serving ministry without faith, endur- 
ance, and holy power. Methodism formerly 
dealt in the great central truth. Now the pulpits 
deal largely in generalities, and in popular lec- 
tures. The glorious doctrine of entire sanctifi- 
cation is rarely heard and seldom witnessed to 
in the pulpits/' — From Law and Gospel in the 
Vanguard. 



POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE. 

The great principles of the Christian religion 
are positive in their nature and execution in all 



For Candid Readers. 89 

circumstances and relations; and none are prof- 
ited by their espousal if they indulge in practi- 
cal negations. Assiduously doing the will of 
our Father in heaven, engages all of the ran- 
somed powers of man. Both the physical and 
moral nature is quickened, regenerated and 
brought into " newness of life," while all of the 
affinities are of the same firm, positive nature. 

Men may philosophize and assert the pro- 
priety of positive and negative association on 
the human line, but God unfolds the fact that 
his people shall be associated in all of their re- 
lations — domestic and religious — upon positive 
principles, with the divine characteristics pre- 
eminently visible. " For by one Spirit are we 
all baptized into one body," therefore "Be ye 
not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: 
for what fellowship hath righteousness with 
unrighteousness ? and what communion hath 
light with darkness ? and what concord hath 
Christ with Belial ? or what part hath he that 
believeth with an infidel ? " By separation from 
negatives we are positively children of God. 

In the elucidation of this important subject, 
many lines of thought present themselves to our 



90 Spiritual Thoughts 

view: but the one to which we solicit special 
attention is the contrast between workers and 
idlers. We find in the religion of Christ certain 
duties are enjoined upon its adherents, which, 
if not performed, brings the delinquent into 
condemnation and extreme peril: and while the 
parable of the rich man and Lazarus presents 
the relative condition of Jews and Gentiles, the 
figure serves to illustrate the practical negations 
of thousands who put on Christ by profession, 
but depart from him in life and practice. 

Dives had lost the favor of heaven, and 
was in the embrace of suffering and despair, 
with no hope of relief, and for what reason ? 
Was it for what he had done in the way of 
crime? Had he violated the law of God by 
committing murder, adultery or theft ? Was 
he guilty of any of the debasing and soul de- 
stroying practices found in the catalogue of 
crime ? Perhaps not. His suffering was for 
things he had left undone. God gave him 
knowledge of things present and future, and 
ability to impart it to others, but he was exclu- 
sive in his principles, he kept it to himself. God 
gave him an abundance of food and raiment, 



For Candid Readers, 91 

but he let the beggar suffer for want of bread 
while he fared sumptuously every day. God 
gave him riches and he used them, but it was 
for himself. His stewardship was ignored, and 
evidently he had forgotten that man was placed 
here to glorify God, and "do good to all men 
as we have opportunity." He was oblivious to 
the demands of the Lord's cause and the needs 
of his fellowmen: for self was made so much 
the centre of affection, that he was deaf to 
poverty's cry and affliction's call: and now when 
beyond the reach of rescue he calls in vain for 
help. His profession of godliness, though loud 
and pompous, was inadequate to his extremity. 
Sad but true picture of many in the religious 
world of to-day who are proud of their respect- 
able position as Christians. They are regular 
attendants at the church of their choice, and 
seem to be devoted in their formal, ritualistic 
worship, giving something of their abundance 
for the support of scholastic lore. They are 
honest in business transactions, and pay cred- 
itors one hundred cents on a dollar. They 
move in the most respectable circle of society, 
and are careful to guard their good name. The 



92 Spiritual Thoughts 

church gambling and entertainments they 
patronize. Heinous sins — such as swearing, 
lying, thievery, Sabbath-breaking, and adultery 
they are not guilty of. They purpose to deport 
themselves commendably before community. 
But, alas ! They have, perhaps, unconscious- 
ly, settled down upon the negative side of 
religion, or do-nothing position. God has given 
them mechanical genius and business tact to 
accumulate money, and they use it: but it is 
for themselves. They live in palatial resi- 
dences, elegantly furnished, and lavishly spend, 
their means for superfluous indulgences and 
useless travel in pursuit of pleasure, while in 
far too many instances the cigar and tobacco 
expenditure is no small item in the annual 
aggregate. 

Charitable institutions are now so numerous 
that they consider themselves excused from 
personal responsibility in alleviating suffering 
and poverty. Missionary work they have so 
little interest in, that the work of rescuing the 
perishing "in regions beyond," gets but little 
or none of their support. Sinful practices and 
great evils are allowed to run riot without one 



For Candid Readers. 93 

word of rebuke or exhortation, for fear of giving 
offence. The Lord has given them time, talent, 
and means to work for the salvation of the 
lost, but the love of self, ease and comfort has 
kept them from labor until at last they wake 
up in judgment and discover their sad mistake. 
They have done nothing very bad, and nothing 
very good. Neither hot nor cold, but luke- 
warm, nauseating, to be rejected, spued out. 

Dear reader, which line are you on: the 
positive or negative? Remember the Lord 
says, "Go, work in my vineyard." "Be ye 
doers of the word." Let our belief in God and 
action in his service be commensurate and 
positive. The Lord is soon coming to ' ' reward 
every man according to his works." Many 
will be lost because they do nothing either 
good or bad. They are wanting in decision of 
principle and character, and positive effort. 
Let us do something for God and humanity, 
that the world may be the better for our hav- 
ing lived in it. 



DECISION. 
Decision and firmness are essential to 
success in every good cause. And especially 



94 Spiritual Thoughts 

are these elements of character needed in the 
great work assigned to us as Christians: for 
without them, our profession is false, our 
purposes vain, and our efforts a failure. 

Many who started earnestly and favorably 
in the christian army, have become weary of 
their march, and failed to endure the hardships 
incident to the journey, because they were 
unstable: and the beguiler, taking advantage 
of their vacillation, has succeeded in alluring 
them with hyprocritical formula and attractive 
follies, which eventuate in eternal ruin. And 
indeed one of the principal means used in 
beguiling these unstable souls is the deceiver's 
arguments on the much abused term — ' ' charity. " 
To favor all of the ungodly practices of an 
apostate church, and endorse all the errors of a 
modern theology which may be forced upon us, 
is far from being charity in a Bible sense: for 
the apostle Paul informs us that the extent of 
our charity should be to "rejoice in the truth." 
True, the element love must prevail in us toward 
all: but to quietly assent to that which is 
incompatible with God's blessed word, is far 
from being a christian duty; and we may 



For Candid Readers. 95 

reasonably doubt our acceptance with the Lord 
if we withold the testimony of heaven's eternal 
truth in contradistinction to error. However, 
this must be done meekly, yet firmly and 
decidedly, as it will never do to sacrifice the 
principles of the Bible and salvation, to which 
we are chosen "through sanctification of the 
Spirit and belief of the truth." 

Being servants of the meek and lowly 
Saviour, does not imply that we are to be so 
conservative as to compromise with persons — 
individually or collectively — who may profess 
righteousness irrespective of faith and character. 
If it did we should be in duty bound to fellow- 
ship and encourage all the anti-christian orders 
in existence. Jesus did not engage in nor 
advise co-operation with the Jews, who were 
the most noted pretenders to piety in his day, 
but he reproved and admonished as duty 
demanded, and it will be perfectly safe for us 
to adopt his rule of action, which always 
insures success to his servants. 

Brethren, be decided in this aggressive 
warfare. Never be ashamed of the truths that 
distinguish us as a people. Let us "buy the 



96 Spiritual Thoughts 

truth and sell it not." Persist in believing right 
and doing right, then we may expect the 
Arbiter of human destiny to say, "Well done, 
good and faithful servants: enter thou into the 
joy of thy Lord." 

May God bless his true children everywhere, 
and cement them in the bonds of love and 
truth, which will make them stand straight up 
for Jesus, in full decision of faith and character. 



TO THE BURDENED ONES. 
The burdens and sorrows of the human 
family may be attributed to the enemy of all 
righteousness: for previous to the Adamic trans- 
gression nothing of a sorrowful nature entered 
the heart of man: indeed, it was not until the 
arch deceiver had succeeded in afflicting man 
with the malady sin (which caused debility of 
physical powers, and ultimated in death), that 
God said to Adam, "Cursed is the ground for 
thy sake: in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the 
days of thy life." And to the woman, " I will 
greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception." 
Here then, is the beginning of sorrows: yea, the 



For Candid Readers, 97 

very fountain head, from which has issued 
a stream that runs through the whole earth. 
Wherever you find the trace of human footsteps, 
there you will see the flood of sorrow and afflic- 
tion, rushing on in madness like the wild deluge 
of literal waters which destroyed the antedilu- 
vians. 

But are there none exempt from this tide of 
sorrow? No, not one. It has swept through the 
palaces of kings, while the peasant's cot was 
not exempt: it has carried anguish of heart to all 
classes and conditions of mankind, east and 
west, north and south. Moreover, the original 
cause has produced wars and multitudinous con- 
tentions, by reason of which widows and 
orphans are numerous. It has filled drunkard's 
graves: it has pained the hearts of parents by the 
disobedience of children: more than all this, it 
has vexed the righteous souls of God's dear 
children to see this flood of vice and immorality 
sweeping thousands to destruction. 

It was this tide of iniquity that caused a 
Saviour to weep over sinners, and to suffer, 
bleed and die for their rescue. It was this that 
caused the ruthless hand of sorrow to be laid 



98 Spiritual Thoughts 

upon him while in a vale of tears. And as we 
are assured by God's unerring word that sorrows 
and persecutions are ours in this life, why should 
we murmur? Is our burden heavy? Listen to 
the words of David, "Cast thy burden upon the 
Lord, and he shall sustain thee." 

Here, then, is our support and our refuge: 
under the shadowy wings of Jehovah shall we be 
shielded, until this mundane system shall be re- 
novated and brought back to its pristine beauty 
and loveliness. Then shall the earth be reso- 
nant with the praises of the redeemed, and the 
triumphant song shall rise. "Thou art worthy 
to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: 
for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to 
God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and 
tongue, and people, and nation: and hast made 
us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall 
reign on the earth." 

O then, dear, care-worn pilgrim, lift up thy 
head, for Zion's King will soon come and wipe 
the tear from sorrow's eye, destroy the last 
enemy which is Death, and immortalize his 
saints. Then will this burden of sorrow, pain 
and corruption be thrown off, and the stream 



For Candid Readers \ 99 

that shall water our divine abode will be the 
river of peace. May we all be there. 



LOVE. 

Love is a divine element, a prominent 
characteristic of God, whose philanthropy is 
evinced in all his dealings with man. He " so 
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten 
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not 
perish, but have everlasting life." Therefore by 
faith in the promises of God, and obedience to 
his commands, we shall be made partakers of 
the divine nature. This, however, cannot be 
accomplished except we love God, love his 
people, love our enemies, and our neighbors as 
ourself. 

He that loveth is God-like, and he that hateth 
is Satan-like; for the Word says, "If a man say, 
I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: 
for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath 
seen, how can he love God whom he hath not 
seen ? " Hence it is our imperative duty to love 
God supremely, and to "know that we have 
passed from death unto life, because we love the 
brethren." 



ioo Spiritual Thoughts 

Methinks there are but few professors of 
religion that realize the importance of cherishing 
the principle of love, and eschewing envy, 
hatred, and malice. Many times has my heart 
been pained, by the repulsion and sneers of 
those who profess to love God, because of 
secret sins and unholy indulgencies exposed in 
gospel light. 

But grace and mercy has made contempt 
give place to pity, knowing "that all things 
work together for good to them that love God " 
and that perhaps many of these scoffers and 
persecutors are ignorant of Satan's devices. 
May be they have yet to learn that this arrant 
deceiver is laboring mightily in these last days to 
decoy the children of God into the whirlpool of 
sectarian bigotry and affinity with the powers 
of evil in its multitudinous forms. O may the 
sleeping church awake to righteousness, and 
sin no more. May she be clothed with the 
garments of salvation and the broad mantle of 
charity, lest she be naked and in the spirit of 
condemnation, like "sounding brass" or a 
"tinkling cymbal/' O Lord, keep thy dear 
children humble and faultless in these days of 



For Candid Readers . i o I 

peril, and make them to shine as lights in this 
benighted sphere, that the weary mariner upon 
life's troubled sea may be guided safely into the 
harbor of eternal rest. 



THE PERFECT STATE. 

The word of God abundantly proves the 
transformation of the earth and all its inhabi- 
tants, who may prove loyal to the King of 
heaven. Not only is the fact affirmed, but the 
mighty change that awaits the subjects of the 
heavenly kingdom, has been fairly demonstrated 
in the case of "the Captain of their salvation/' 
who was "made like unto his brethren," and 
"declared to be the Son of God with power, 
according to the spirit of holiness, by the 
resurrection from the dead," being "the first 
born among many brethren." 

Our faith in a future physical transformation 
is predicated upon the assurance given in the 
sacred Word, which is explicit and indubitable; 
for the great apostle says, "our conversation 
is in heaven, from whence also we look for the 
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change 
our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto 



102 Spiritual TJiouglits 

his glorious body, according to the working 
whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto 
himself." Again, in writing his first epistle to 
the brethren in Corinth, he says: " Behold, I 
show you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, 
but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in 
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for 
the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be 
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed: 
for this corruptible must put on incorruption, 
and this mortal must put on immortality. " 

Many more testimonies of like import might 
be readily adduced, but these are sufficient to 
set forth the points we wish to illustrate, name- 
ly, the three conditions of God's adopted family: 
— their imperfect and perfect state, intervened 
by death. We find that the works of nature's 
God afford ample lessons of instruction upon 
this subject, for all who devote any attention to 
the study of the same, and we may easily 
comprehend by faith in Christ the conditions 
and changes of our Redeemer's children. 

The greater part of the insects undergo 
certain changes of structure and form before 
reaching their perfect state: and these changes 



For Candid Readers. 103 

are called their metamorphoses. Take the 
butterfly, for example. From the egg of this 
insect is produced an animal materially differ- 
ent from its parent. It lives in this state for 
some time, and then casts off its skin, and 
assumes another form without limbs. It ceases 
to feed or move. // seems to be totally without 
life. Finally that envelope is broken, and the 
animal escapes. It now appears with six long 
legs, and two beautiful wings, by which it is 
able to traverse the atmosphere at pleasure, 
and is familiarly known to us by the name of 
butterfly. In the first state the animal is called 
the larva : in the second the chrysalis : and the 
third is called the perfect state. 

Thus our various conditions are illustrated. 
We are now c< of the earth earthy: 77 like the 
insect in the larva state, confined to terra-firma, 
in the imperfect, or mortal condition: and, like 
the insect in the chrysalis state, in death we are 
inactive and unconscious, until the grave which 
envelops us is opened, and with wings of 
immortality in the glorified or perfect state, we 
ascend the aerial heavens to meet our dear 
Saviour who has given us life and a nature 



104 Spiritual Thoughts 

more durable than that of the butterfly. Then 
he bids us welcome home. With this the 
apostle concurs when he exclaims, "The Lord 
Himself shall descend from heaven w T ith a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel and with the 
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise 
first: then we which are alive and remain shall 
be caught up together with them in the clouds. 
to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever 
be with the Lord." 

How cheering are these words to all those 
who, with the piercing eye of faith, look through 
this murky atmosphere of mortality, and behold 
the perfect state. O, that all mankind would 
seek to be like Jesus in character now, that 
when the time of physical perfection arrives, 
they might be like him in nature. 

Sinner, give your heart to Jesus. Remember 
that none but those who have a part in the 
glorious change at the coming of Christ, shall 
ever share the blessings of the perfect state. 



EVIL SPEAKING. 
In these days the practice of evil speaking 
is very common, even with those who profess 



For Candid Readers. 105 

better things. Communities are set in an up- 
roar, families are put at variance, and friends 
separated by this pernicious work of satan, and 
unconsciously many are led into this habit upon 
the ground of sociability. They meet with 
neighbors who as conversationalists are re- 
markably gifted in the line of disparagement: 
and thoughtlessly they are induced to express 
a premature opinion concerning the scandalized 
victim, whom they had previously counted as 
almost a faultless friend. The sentence so un- 
feelingly uttered and carelessly dropped, is 
repeated and exaggerated until the vile work of 
alienation is completed, for words once spoken 
can never be recalled. 

How much better it would be for those who 
profess godliness to refuse attention when their 
fellow beings are diminutively spoken of, and 
either by reticence or the quotation of Scripture 
rebuke him who is thus engaged in this anti- 
christian practice. As followers of the meek 
and lowly Saviour, our words should be well 
guarded and fitly spoken, "for by thy words 
thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou 
shalt be condemned/' And he that "takethup 



106 Spiritual Thoughts 

a reproach against his neighbor" shall not abide 
in the Lord's tabernacle. 

Can those of the same faith occupy the po- 
sition God designed they should, and be united 
at the Lord's table, and in church capacity, if 
they speak evil one of another ? Can they have 
that freedom in testimony for Jesus, and com- 
munion with God, which is • their's to enjoy, if 
they have violated the principles of scriptural 
equity ? All the teachings of Christ and his 
apostles reply negatively. Therefore, "grieve 
not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are 
sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all 
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, 
and evil speaking, be put away from you with 
all malice : and be ye kind one to another, 
tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as 
God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." 

If these principles are carried out, trouble is 
avoided, and the borders of peace enlarged. 
May the kingdom of righteousness and peace 
speedily come. 



PROSPECTIVE. 
It fills me with joy inexpressible to know, 
by the fulfillment of an unbroken chain of con- 



For Candid Readers. 107 

secutive prophecy, that the long looked for 
Jubilee period is to be speedily introduced by 
the coming of "Shilo," who shall inaugurate 
a government of peace, where for six thousand 
years disorder and carnage have held universal 
sway. O ! glorious prospect of release from 
bondage, and happy .reunion with patriarchs, 
prophets, apostles, and saints of all ages. For 
the governmental usurpation of a wicked 
prince has caused a long, dark night of sadness, 
suffering, and bondage severe : from which the 
Adamic race would be delivered. But sadness 
comes over me when I think of the many who 
spurn offered mercy and pardon, and despise 
the way of release as "brought to light through 
the gospel:" and more especially when the 
truth is held in unrighteousness, and the Son of 
God is crucified afresh, and put to an open 
shame by the disorderly conduct of nominal re- 
ligious devotees. But, thanks be to God, there 
are some bright stars in these last days, though 
blazing out in isolation and persecution, amid 
the darkness which covers the earth, and the 
gross darkness which has long blinded the 
people. These lights are easily distinguished 



108 Spiritual Thoughts 

by their apostolic characteristics and non-con- 
formity to the pernicious ways and practices 
of this ungodly age: and as the termination of 
their pilgrimage becomes more visible, faith 
increases, love abounds, zeal and courage aug- 
ments: while amidst the howling tempest of 
assailment and unpropitious surroundings their 
heads are uplifted, and with eager eyes they 
look for immediate redemption. 

Peradventure this special message of the 
soon coming kingdom, if fearlessly and 
faithfully proclaimed, may augment the num- 
ber who shall pass over Jordan (Judgment), and 
enter upon the beatitudes of earth restored in 
the immortal age. This thought may well 
encourage us in the work of making ready a 
people prepared for the Lord: and this wojk be- 
ing embassadorial, must be accomplished in 
harmony with the King's orders, and the sanc- 
tion of our Chief Shepherd. Under these orders 
and with this sanction the minister of Christ 
may fearlessly proclaim "this gospel of the 
kingdom," being assured of satisfaction in 
reward, resulting from continuous fidelity. 



For Candid Readers. 109 

INTEGRITY. 

Wholeness, uprightness and purity have 
ever distinguished the children of God from the 
children of the wicked one, irrespective of 
circumstances or influences: for these principles 
being of godly origin, are immutable. And, in 
Christian character they so inhere as to stand 
prominent and unshaken, while they make the 
possessors "living epistles known and read of 
all men." 

All who have experienced the power of 
divine truth and saving grace evince wholeness 
of heart in righteous service to God and their 
fellow men: for their devotions and works are 
characterized by fervency and zeal. They are 
undaunted by the jeers and frowns of the devil's 
children, and are so engaged in their heavenly 
Master's work that they never have time to 
indulge in the follies and amusements loved so 
dearly by the lukewarm and ungodly. Their 
work is of such importance, and absorbs the 
affections to such an extent that it cannot be 
neglected for a moment. All about them are 
the perishing and fallen, who need to be 



no Spiritual Thoughts 

rescued speedily: and with the magnanimous 
throbbings of a whole heart, they pray and toil 
with alacrity that ever becomes the followers 
of Jesus. Unattracted by the pleasures of the 
age, their time, talents, voice, reputation, mo- 
ney and all, is consecrated to God: so there is 
nothing left for the gratification, of carnal and 
selfish desires, or the sight of eyes that are the 
avenues of proud hearts. 

In the formation of Christian character, 
uprightness is an element indispensable: and 
this fact is exemplified in the life and teachings 
of our Captain, who is the "author of eternal 
salvation unto all them that obey him." With- 
out this straightforward honesty in expression 
and deportment, the mission upon which we 
are sent would prove a failure, and loss to us 
incalculable would be the result. But triumph 
and success is sure to be ours if we have 
" freedom from every biasing or corrupting 
influence or motive:" for there is "nothing more 
grand and sublime in nature than independent 
integrity " especially on the part of those who 
lay any claim to godliness: as final acceptance 
with our Maker depends upon our love for 



For Candid Readers. in 

truth, honesty in our intercourse with men, and 
our disapproval of iniquity in all its forms. 

The common and pernicious practice of dis- 
sembling for the sake of unhallowed influence 
and affluence in this world will deprive many of 
a place in the kingdom to come: for "there 
shall in no wise enter into it (the holy city) 
anything that defileth, neither whatsoever 
worketh abomination or maketh a lie: but they 
which are written in the Lamb's book of life/ 
' ' Better is the poor that walketh in his upright- 
ness than he that is perverse in his ways, though 
he be rich." But integrity so becoming to the 
Christian is incomplete without purity of heart, 
thought, expression and action. To be more 
explicit, moral soundness is not entire without a 
correspondence with our original condition: 
and this condition is ours only by faith in the 
precious blood of Christ which cleanseth from 
all impurity. Thus we are so allied to God that 
sin hath no more dominion over us, and the 
pure, sweet spirit of the Master so controls the 
passions that we become exempt from both 
moral and physical defilement: for no vile 
habits mar the human organism consecrated'by 



112 Spiritual Thoughts. 

grace; and no obscene expressions or foolish 
jesting ever falls from the lips of him whose 
mouth is filled with heavenly praise. 

With all our ransomed powers engaged in 
the service of him who spake as never man 
spake, our lips are too pure to indulge in idle 
words, or foul language: and though separated 
from the company of many who would otherwise 
be our friends, we ' ' sanctify the Lord God in our 
hearts; and are ready always to give 
an answer to every man that asketh us 
a reason of the hope that is in us with meek- 
ness and fear: having a good conscience; that 
whereas they speak evil of us, as evil-doers, 
they may be ashamed that falsely accuse our 
good conversation in Christ." May God help 
us to regard the principles of integrity, and 
thus be able to occupy our proper sphere, for 
the Lord will soon come to call us into judgment. 



SIN. 
All unrighteousness is sin. i John 5 :— 1 7. 
If the import of our text was fully compre- 
hended by all professing Christians, what a 



For Candid Readers. 113 

wonderful change there would be in the de- 
portment of some. The principles of honor 
and equity toward God and their fellow-men 
would be evinced on every occasion, and the 
burden of disgrace would no longer rest upon 
the cause of Christ. But this renouncement of 
sin in its diversified forms may not reasonably 
be expected so long as nominal ambassadors 
of the cross cater to the carnal desires of hypo- 
crites, by presenting only such portions of 
Scripture as will make them strong theorists 
and religious pugilists: while the portion of 
divine truth which would expose their sins is 
briefly and lightly treated or withheld. 

In seeking for a solution of the theme em- 
bodied in the caption of this article, it behooves 
us to occupy a scriptural basis of exegesis: for 
we would not lay condemnation at the door of 
any heart unauthorized, knowing that "the 
Word" shall judge us "in the last day:' 7 and 
without a strict adherence to the principles of 
faith and practice set forth in that word, vain 
will be our expectation of future glory and 
immortality. Therefore in love, pity and bold- 
ness combined we will "reprove, rebuke, 



114 Spiritual Thoughts 

exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine," 
though "the time" has come when many "will 
not endure sound doctrine," and the person 
who talks and writes it plainly must look for 
unpopularity, and a separation from the company 
of men: but if we have "respect unto the 
recompense of reward," there is nothing to 
fear. 

Righteousness in a scriptural sense compre- 
hends holy principles and reflections of the 
heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. 
Hence, according to our text, any violation of 
these principles, or transgression of this rule is 
sin: and when we think how easily the avenues 
of sin are opened, and the liability of being 
deceived by satanic power, we do not wonder 
that so many warnings and admonitions are 
given through the inspired writers of Bible 
truth. Taking into consideration the successful 
career of sainted characters who are set forth 
as examples to us, forming a great cloud of 
witnesses, we are exhorted to "lay aside every 
weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset 
us, and to run with patience the race that is set 
before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and 



For Candid Readers. 1 1 5 

finisher of our faith." All persons have their 
weak points, through which the adversary will 
tempt them, and unless this exhortation of the 
apostle is heeded, ruin is inevitable: for to be 
successful in the race, weighted down with the 
things of corruption, is impossible : and those 
indulging in sin, who occupy places of trust 
and prominence in Christian association, expect- 
ing the Lord's approbation and final salvation, 
are only deceiving themselves, if not others. 

To be exempt from all unrighteousness, which 
is sin, purity is indispensable. There must be 
no corruption by fraud, seduction, or vicious 
habits. Hence, every deception practised with 
a view to gaining unlawful or unfair advantage 
is out of harmony with the principles of Chris- 
tianity. That man who indulges in the various 
phases of seduction, and is given to licentious 
principles, under the garb of religion, only 
makes a fool of himself, blights the cause, and 
disgraces humanity by his unrighteous course. 
Surely it would be more consistent to train in 
the devil's company. How does the professed 
Christian, addicted to stimulants and intoxi- 
cants, compare with the Master in righteousness? 



u6 Spirittial TJiouglits 

Certainly he looks in vain for salvation, for no 
drunkard can inherit the kingdom of God: and 
those who are moderately stimulated by common 
beverages are in a degree violating the law of 
righteousness, which sin may possibly exclude 
them from the beatification of saints. 

If time and means are wasted in the gratifi- 
cation of lust and appetite by the use of opium, 
morphine, snuff or tobacco, unrighteousness is 
committed, and a blight upon humanity, heredi- 
tary in its results, is produced, while the cause 
of religion which they profess to love is made 
to languish and become the butt of ridicule. 
Think of the low, vile and corrupting influence 
upon our youth, as exerted by gray-headed 
Christians in name, who are addicted to these 
habits so debasing. Is it any wonder that the 
rising generation so easily acquire these vicious 
habits, and are so little affected by the prayers 
and exhortations of these church members, 
when such corrupting examples are set ? 

Let all whose eyes fall upon these lines, 
watch and pray, that they may escape these 
corrupting evils, and live so as to be lights in 
the world. "Little children, let no man deceive 



For Candid Readers. 117 

you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, 
even as he (Christ) is righteous. He that com- 
mitteth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth 
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son 
of God was manifested that he might destroy 
the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of 
God doth not commit sin: for his seed remain- 
eth in him: and he cannot sin because he is 
born of God. ~ In this the children of God are 
manifest, and the children of the devil: whoso- 
ever doeth not righteousness is not of God, 
neither he that loveth not his brother. For this 
is the message that ye heard from the beginning, 
that we should love one another/' Surely the 
Lord grants no Lcense to sin in this scripture: 
and as the subject is negatively considered in 
the context, it is obvious that no brother or 
sister could reasonably be offended at the ex- 
posure of these corrupting evils, if they have 
an honest desire to do right: for any violation 
of divine or natural laws measurably blunts the 
mental faculties, destroys the finer sensibilities 
of our nature, enervates our powers for good, 
and more or less neutralizes the efforts put forth 
in behalf of others. 



Ii8 Spiritual Thoughts 

Brethren, let us who wait for God's Son from 
heaven make sure to be found of him without 
spot and blameless, for nothing unclean or sin- 
ful can enter the paradise of God. Let us be sure 
to lay aside "the sin which doth so easily beset 
us," whatever it is, that when the Master comes 
to make up his jewels he may say, "We/I done." 



HUMILITY. 
It is said by an inspired penman that " God 
resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the 
humble, " which fact is fully substantiated by 
other scriptures of like import. And while the 
great apostle and founder of our Christian 
religion has exemplified the principles of this 
virtue, we find it an important and indispen- 
sable characteristic in his followers: for he has 
said, " Take my yoke upon you, and learn of 
me: for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye 
shall find rest unto your souls." This injunc- 
tion embraces full submission to the govern- 
ment of Christ, and humility in spirit and life, 
as prerequisite to the rest desired and promised. 
Hence it is evident that permanent peace and 



For Candid Readers. 119 

satisfaction cannot abide with rivalry and un- 
holy ambition: for we are exhorted by Paul, in 
the second chapter of his letter to the Philip- 
pians, to " let nothing be done through strife 
or vain glory: but in lowliness of mind let each 
esteem other better than themselves. Look 
not every man on his own things, but every 
man also on the things of others. Let this 
mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: 
who, being in the form of God, thought it not 
robbery to be equal with God: but made him- 
self of no reputation, and took upon him the 
form of a servant, and was made in the likeness 
of men: and being found in fashion as a man, 
he humbled himself, and became obedient 
unto death, even the death of the cross. Where- 
fore God also hath highly exalted him, and 
given him a name which is above every name. " 
In the above scripture we have principles 
set forth which form the basis of righteousness, 
individually and collectively: for only those 
who occupy this humble position can be 
accepted as sons and daughters of God. And 
surely no Christian organization can stand if 
void of these elements. Many of our churches 



120 Spiritual Thoughts 

have within them the elements of disintegration 
and speedy ruin, simply because the leader in 
teaching and organization has been so anxious for 
aggrandizement and popular fame, that many 
were reported as converts, and accepted as 
members, who never experienced the saving 
power of divine grace: and being insubordinate 
to Christ, the unrighteous passion for rivalry 
and indulgence is augmented by the contami- 
nating influence of their nominal spiritual 
adviser: hence churches, made up of these 
unholy elements, soon pass away: but the stain 
is not soon wiped out. Oh, that all who profess 
to embrace Christ would sink out of this un- 
righteous love of self and the world. Then 
God would be glorified, and the brethren 
would be kindly affectioned one to another 
with brotherly love: in honor preferring one 
another. Never should a Christian organization 
be inaugurated void of humility, for sad indeed 
is the end. 

Oh, how deplorable to see the cause of God 
thus damaged and made to languish, while 
the efforts of his true servants are more or less 
neutralized by this unholy spirit of pride and 
arrogance. 



For Candid Readers. 1 2 1 

May the Lord support both reader and 
writer with grace to walk in humility, and ever 
hide us behind the cross of Christ, that we 
" grudge not one against another, lest we be 
condemned: for behold, the Judge standeth 
before the door." 



EGOTISM. 

It becomes important for Christians to avoid 
egotism in all its forms, for if indulged, it 
weakens their power for good, and renders them 
contemptible in the estimation of sensible 
people : it puts them in opposition to Bible 
principles, and develops carnal nature. We 
learn from the great Teacher that "out of the 
abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh," 
and when men talk or write much of themselves, 
they forget that servants of -God should glory 
only in the cross of Christ. We are not to 
"make ourselves of the number, or compare 
ourselves with some that commend themselves: 
but they measuring themselves by themselves, 
and comparing themselves among themselves 
are not wise/ 7 But this is the rule usually 



122 Spiritual Thoughts 

adopted by lovers of self, and their folly is 
displayed, 

We do not wish to assume the position of 
critic upon this subject, but to simply admonish 
those who chance to need correction, that they 
may guard against the spirit of egotism which 
so largely characterizes their speech and 
writings. Our dear Saviour has said, " By thy 
words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words 
thou shalt be condemned." 

Sometimes we meet with men and women, 
and even ministers, whose own dear self figures 
largely in whatever subject they present, and 
this opinion is deeply impressed upon the 
minds of their listeners, whose ears are fre- 
quently saluted with the pronouns / and me. 
When ministers thus make themselves conspic- 
uous in relating their experience and labors, 
they certainly are not hid behind the cross. 
Not long since we read a short article from the 
pen of a minister who recounted his travels and 
labors, with the glory attached to self, and 
made it manifest by using the personal pronoun 
/ no less than twenty-nine times in the brief space 
of a two-thirds column. Surely we ought to be 



For Candid Readers. 123 

careful in this matter lest we rob Christ of his 
glory and unnecessarily bring the message of 
salvation into disrepute. The gospel presents 
Jesus as the most important character, and the 
chiefest among ten thousand, and if the minis- 
ter acts in his proper sphere he may be a mighty 
instrument in the hand of God to the accom- 
plishment of good : and though his work be 
small in the estimation of men, it will be 
appreciated by the Lord and ultimate in a 
greater harvest and reward than that of his 
fellow-laborers, who are more highly favored in 
this life. May the spirit of humility rest upon 
all of God's servants who are called to deliver 
this last message of mercy to a dying world. 
Surely success will crown our efforts if we only 
lose sight of self and preach Jesus and Him 
crucified. Let us seek for wisdom that cometh 
from above, and be more like Christ, " meek 
and lowly in heart." 



A GROWING EVIL. 
Among the many evils which characterize 
this sinful age, the using of tobacco is not the 



124 Spiritual Thoughts 

least: and the time has come when all faithful 
ambassadors of Christ should openly denounce 
it, for silence only gives it license and practical 
sanction. The great Head of the church never 
withheld needed admonition nor even sharp re- 
buke from those who were defiled and demoraliz- 
ed, but with frank and uncompromising terms he 
exposed evil in all its forms, and enjoins it 
upon his chosen servants to do the same. 

That which defiles and enervates the human 
organism, detracts from manhood and spiritu- 
ality, is certainly a great sin in the sight of 
God and should be opposed. Therefore, upon 
this basis we venture, in the fear of God, to 
speak in unqualified terms against the filthy 
narcotic — tobacco — which is ruining its thous- 
ands: and we think none will dare deny the 
fact that the evil effect of this cursed practice 
is not only visible in the adult portion of the 
human race, but also in their posterity: for 
the poison is so much incorporated by in- 
heritance, that with uncontrolled passions 
boys, at a very early period in life, contract the 
habit of smoking and chewing. O how sad to 
see the youth debilitated and corrupted by 
such a vile practice ! 



For Candid Readers. J25 

But this growing evil is not confined to the 
children of darkness, for as an agent of the 
devil's kingdom it has ventured to step inside 
the church, and audaciously appears there as a 
friend to health and a comfort to the lonely, 
while many of the half-converted theorizers, 
who are destitute of the spirit, roll the quid 
under the tongue as a sweet morsel of sin, re- 
fusing to give it up, and at the same time 
proclaiming that they have sacrificed all for 
Jesus. Surely these souls must be deceived, 
and we wish to get them out of the devil's 
snare. 

When men's clothes are completely saturated 
with the fumes of tobacco, and their breath so 
contaminated that the sensitive can hardly 
endure their presence, and they are so attached 
to the old black pipe that it must be their 
companion on the road to and from the church, 
they certainly are not "cleansed from all filthi- 
ness of the flesh and spirit:" for while they 
may think themselves acceptable worshipers 
of the true God, they are unconsciously burning 
incense to Baal, and their minds are so 
beclouded with the foul fumes that they do not 



126 Spiritual Thoughts 

realize how dangerous and unhallowed is the 
ground they occupy. 

Now, what shall be done to rescue these 
foul dreamers, and accomplish a radical reform ? 
We answer, let every minister of the gospel ex- 
pose the evil, and, after faithfully instructing 
and warning, exclude those members who 
will persist in defiling the temple of God. For 
if the church is cleansed its prosperity is 
assured, and the Lord will approbate those 
who are cleansed by his Word and the precious 
blood of Jesus. 



DEFINITE TIME. 
The chronological data and prophetic periods 
of God's Word are ever reliable, and safe to 
present, as was fully demonstrated in the pro- 
clamation of their termination in 1843-4: for it 
was marked by a marvelous display of God's 
converting power, and a wonderful preparation 
to meet the Bridegroom. That message was 
irrefutable, and possibly many have, in their 
investigations of this subject, overlooked the 
fact that those scriptural time computations 



For Candid Readers. 127 

brought the church to "the time of the end," 3s 
represented in the parable of the ten virgins 
who entered upon the tarrying time, which 
proves the message true. But disappointment 
attended the expectation of seeing the King in 
his glory, because the tarrying time was unob- 
served: and while "darkness has covered the 
earth, and gross darkness the people," the 
virgins have all been sleeping, except a few 
not in the embrace of profound slumber, who 
have dreamed of changed dates that would 
accommodate some definite time-theory newly 
conjectured, and which the lapse of time has 
proved fallacious. 

Various chronologies have been prepared in 
support of these multifarious definite time 
periods for the Lord to come, some of which 
have been based upon astronomical computa- 
tions so intricate that not one in a hundred of 
the readers are able to comprehend the argu- 
ments: for while they read of eclipses, they are 
so befogged that the time of the Lord's coming 
is eclipsed to them. Now we ask in all candor, 
and with due respect to these writers, who 
have evinced much erudition and research, 



128 Spiritual Tlionghts 

How can these messages be "meat in due 
season" to "the household of faith" when 
they cannot be understood? Time reveals their 
absurdity, for all matters essential to our sal- 
vation, and pointing to the consummation of 
our hope, are stated in such explicit terms that 
the Master says, "Whoso readeth let him 
understand." 

We know " the end of all things is at hand," 
and "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." 
1 ' But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, 
no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither 
the Son, but the Father." "Take ye heed, 
watch and pray: for ye know not when the time 
is." 

It is very imprudent to be wise above what 
is written, and if the prophetic periods were in- 
tended to mark the precise time of our 
Saviour's appearing, would not his language 
just quoted be meaningless? May the Lord 
direct the pens of our many contributors upon 
these blessed themes, in a scriptural channel, 
that nothing extravagant may be written to 
bring the Lord's coming into disrepute, or 
mystify the prophecies relative to the inaugu- 



For Candid Readers. 129 

ration of his kingdom. Surely, if we are led 
by "the spirit of truth/' he will guide us into 
all truth, and so qualify us for service that we 
shall "grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, 
whereby we are sealed unto the day of re- 
demption." 



PHARMACY. 

Rather a singular theme to introduce in a 
book of this character, says one. Well, yes, in 
one sense it is. But are there not some things 
in this line analagous to spiritual matters as 
they pertain to man ? Let us see. 

The entire human family are suffering more 
or less from physical ills which are in some 
way, either directly or indirectly, the outcome 
of moral ills. Therefore moral and physical ills 
are allied, and need treatment that will effect 
both, as reason and revelation go to show. The 
victims of corporal diseases most invariably 
call upon the living physician, or consult the 
family volume of instructions, before pharma- 
ceutical preparations are obtained, then with 
caution and strict compliance with orders the 



130 Spiritual Thoughts 

remedies are administered. Reasoning upon 
the principle of cause and effect it seems 
evident that the prime evil in man's case was a 
violation of moral law, which has led to the 
transgression of physical laws, resulting in 
various forms of disease, greatly limiting 
temporal existence. And as the malady of sin 
has infected the whole of Adam's posterity, 
each generation by personal transgression add- 
ing to the ills inherited, they must experience 
the terrible results by going down to untimely 
graves, and many of them unreconciled to God, 
will be forever lost. 

Now, in this deplorable condition man is 
sought after by a loving heavenly Father, whose 
commiseration is extended in the provision of a 
physician who has opened the pharmacy of 
heaven, and visited in person our dark domain 
of contagion and death, leaving with us at his 
departure a valuable household volume of 
directions for treatment ; and in this precious 
Book we are assured that the panacea obtained 
of the Divine pharmacist never fails to cure. 

Sometimes the condition of the human organ- 
ism is determined by an examination of the 



For Candid Readers. 1 3 1 

tongue: so we are instructed that the moral con- 
dition of man may be known somewhat by the 
use made of the tongue, and by which moral ills 
are developed : for we read, ' ' the tongue is a fire, 
a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our 
members, that it defileth the whole body, and 
setteth on fire the course of nature: and it is set 
on fire of hell." But, thank God, the fire and 
poison of an unholy tongue can all be taken out 
with the spiritual antidote offered by our 
Physician. Then we can say with Paul, " the 
law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made 
me free from the law of sin and death/' 

We have heard it stated that according to 
tradition the Indian race are looking for a great 
personage from heaven, whom they call "the 
medicine man:" and when he appears they ex- 
pect to receive great benefits. And we think in 
a spiritual sense the idea is correct, for Christ 
will soon come and administer the never-failing 
panacea of immortality. And while we wait 
for this complete cure, we may avoid the aug- 
mentation of present ills, and by unwavering 
faith they may, in a degree, be mitigated by 
divine power : for the blessings promised to 



132 Spiritual Thoughts 

God's children are not all deferred to the future, 
as some of them are realized in this world. 
Therefore we read that " godliness is profitable 
unto all things, having promise of the life that 
now is, and of that which is to come." 

Oh, that all would accept God's remedy and 
be healed morally and physically: for salvation 
can be obtained in no other way. 

Various means of amelioration and many 
nostrums are prepared by men, and few if any 
have the desired effect. But when our great 
Physician shall come from heaven, we shall 
receive a remedy that will rebuke disease and 
give everlasting release from corruption. 
Reader, will you be a recipient of this 
immortal remedy ? 



THEOLOGICAL PUGILISM. 

The principles involved under this head are 
anything but pleasing to holy minds: yet it be- 
hooves the followers of Christ to acquaint 
themselves with this system sufficiently to avoid 
its pernicious practice, and discern the better 
way of inculcating divine truth: for many in 
blind zeal and unsanctifled combativeness have 



For Candid Readers. 133 

augmented the hatred of antagonists, and pro- 
duced prejudice in the minds of honest-hearted 
opposers. And notwithstanding the plea made 
by some, who have more grit than grace, that 
gospel truth must be declared boldly, yet if irre- 
spective of the spirit manifested on the part of 
its bearer, it may not be for good: for the sweet 
spirit of the Master in the heart of him who 
bears the message is imparted by the truth of 
revelation expressed. 

Many young preachers (and some old ones) 
have been noted more for pugnacity than for 
piety: and while an ostensible interest has been 
manifested in their preaching, but few if any 
have been brought to Christ, simply because 
their efforts were not founded in earnest prayer, 
and characterized by divine love and gentleness. 
Bible truth expressed positively is not salvable 
to the listener unless accompanied by elements 
of heavenly power which are imparted to the 
messenger by "the author and finisher of our 
faith;" and if in meekness the erring be instruct- 
ed, they more readily yield to God's authority 
and ground their weapons of rebellion. But 
while a pugnacious spirit is to be deprecated 



134 Spiritual TJioughts 

because of its deleterious effect upon the human 
heart, the servant of God should never allow 
his scrupulosity to smother the truth, or induce 
him to sacrifice its principles to gratify fastidi- 
ous souls whose carnal nature ever demands 
the popular view of matters, both religious and 
secular. For it is a fact made prominent in the 
Scriptures that the gospel is to be advertized 
under the special direction of the Holy Spirit — 
an element that keeps the ambassador's head 
level and heart pure, w T hile it imparts the wis- 
dom of serpents and harmlessness of doves: the 
boldness of the lion and gentleness of the lamb: 
and the equilibrity of these traits always in- 
sures success. 

In these days of infidelity and skepticism 
much grace is required in advocating "this 
gospel of the kingdom" with firmness and 
gentleness combined: and the writer has long 
since learned that the secret of divine power 
and holy influence is ours by constant commun- 
ion with God, and thorough acquaintance with 
his Word, Without these means of grace our 
efforts are paralyzed, and our influence upon 
others spiritually enervating. No man can be 



For Candid Readers. 135 

a successful preacher of the gospel of salvation, 
unless it dwells richly in him: for the injunction 
of an inspired apostle, supported by his experi- 
ence, is to " work out your own salvation with 
fear and trembling-. For it is God which work- 
eth in you both to will and to do of his good 
pleasure." Finally, let all who are called to 
deliver the last message of mercy to dying men 
be careful not to imbibe the pugilistic spirit, 
knowing that " the servant of the Lord must not 
strive: but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, 
patient, in meekness instructingthose that oppose 
themselves: if God peradventure will give them 
repentance to the acknowledging of the truth: 
and that they may recover themselves out of 
the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by 
him at his will." 2 Tim. 2; 24-26. 



-ANATHEMA MARAN-ATHA." 

I COR. l6-22. 

All men will ultimately receive the measure 
of divine blessing, or the curse of justice accord- 
ing as their character may demand: and this fact 
is made prominent by inspired writers who 
invariably fix upon the close of probation's 
period as the time of decision and reward. 



136 Spiritual Thouglits 

But favorable to the formation and develop- 
ment of righteous character, instructions are 
given, and gospel invitations extended, by him 
who is soon to appear as judge of the quick and 
the dead, so that in the day of assize all may be 
without excuse. 

The phrase "Anathema Maran-atha," means 
accursed when the Lord cometh, and by the 
connection we are informed that those who love 
not the Lord Jesus Christ are the class upon 
whom the curse shall fall. 

The statement of character is made negatively, 
but affirmatively we may say, that love to God 
and man embraces the whole of Christian duty, 
while the channels of development are clearly 
specified as regard for our beloved in words and 
deeds. And the extent of this regard for Jesus 
depends upon our confidence in his word: for 
without this our love for him is shallow and 
pretentious in the extreme. Therefore in the ex- 
hortative spirit the apostle exclaims: "Watch 
ye. Stand fast in the faith. Quit you like men. 
Be strong. Let all your things be done with 
charity," for "without faith [credence] it is im- 
possible to please God:" and surely, no person 



For Candid Readers. 137 

can run well in the Christian race unless he 
"through the Spirit wait forthe hope hi righteous- 
ness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circum- 
cision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision: but 
faith which worketh by love. " Now this confi- 
dence in things hoped for, based upon the 
immutable promises of our heavenly Master, is 
evinced or worked out on the principle of love, 
expressed and performed, as the language of 
Jesus proves. "He that loveth me not keepeth 
not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is 
not mine, but the Father's which sent me." 

With these facts supported by "the author 
and finisher of our faith/' it is self-evident that a 
profession of love for Christ, without a full 
endorsement and adoption of his word, is 
emphatically illusory: and for this reason we 
conclude that those who repudiate portions of 
divine truth which militate against their precon- 
ceived opinions, have not that love for Christ 
necessary to exemption from the curse when the 
Lord cometh. Thus we see how essential it is to 
teach and embrace the gospel in its purity, for 
Paul says, "Though we, or an angel from heav- 
en, preach any other gospel unto you than that 



138 Spiritual Thoughts 

which we have preached unto you, let him be 
accursed. " But, in order to be an acceptable 
candidate for immortality when "the Lord com- 
eth, it is important that we love his appearing, 
for most assuredly we shall want to see Jesus in 
person, if we are in a saved condition and really 
love him. 

Therefore Paul says, "I have fought a good 
fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the 
faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown 
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 
Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me 
only, but unto all them also that love his appear- 
ing." As a crowning event in the scheme of re- 
demption, the second advent of Christ is made 
prominent, while all the lines of prophecy and 
promise converge to the same point of time, 
and instructions through the divine agency of 
grace "that bringeth salvation" is as follows: 
"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and 
worldly lusts, weshouldlivesoberly, righteously 
and godly, in this present world: looking for 
that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of 
the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who 
gave himself for us, that he might redeem 



For Candid Readers. 139 

us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a 
peculiar people, zealous of good works/' Thus 
is our position as Christians clearly defined: and 
by duplicating these principles in our desires 
and deportment, we may avoid the curse, and 
be accepted when the Lord cometh. 

Oh, that all would "obey from the heart 
that form of doctrine " which is revealed in God's 
Word, and by love for the appearing of his dear 
Son be ready for translation. The day of doom 
is just at hand. "Wherefore he saith, Awake, 
thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and 
Christ shall give the light. See then that ye walk 
circumspectly: not as fools, but as wise, redeem- 
ing the time, because the days are evil/' Dear 
brethren and sisters, let us continue to seek for 
divine approval, and be faithful to our mission, 
that we may not be numbered with those who 
shall come under the apostle's "Anathema Ma- 

ran-atha. " 

PURE RELIGION. 

The inference may be drawn from our cap- 
tion that all religion is not pure: and therefore 
it is of paramount importance to understand the 
distinctive features of pure religion as unfolded 
in the Bible, that we be not deceived, or induced 



140 Spiritual Thoughts 

to accept of that which is spurious, and so lose 
the purifying effects promised to those who em- 
brace the principles of Christ. 

Religion is "the recognition of God as an 
object of worship, love, and obedience: right 
feelings toward God as rightly apprehended: 
piety." The term may also embrace "any 
system of faith and worship, as the religion of 
the Turks, of Hindoos, of Christians, true and 
false religion." Therefore it is possible for 
people to be religious, and yet void of principles 
that produce a Christian life: hence many have 
mistaken blind devotion for gospel piety, sup- 
posing that sincerity excused them for negli- 
gence in the study of God's Word, and made 
them acceptable candidates for glory. But the 
Lord makes an intelligent faith, coupled with 
obedience, essential to salvation: for Jesus said 
to the woman of Samaria. "Ye worship ye 
know not what: we know what we worship: for 
Salvation is of the Jews." " God is a Spirit, and 
they that worship him must worship him in 
spirit and in truth." 

All truth pertaining to Christian principles 
is embraced in the Bible, and without some 



For Candid Readers. 141 

understanding of it we know not how to be 
Christians: for while we learn that Jesus is the 
only source of salvation, it becomes necessary 
to acquaint ourselves with his commands in 
order to obey them and worship God aright. 
This fact is made apparent, and supported by the 
Saviour's sharp reproof to the Scribes and 
Pharisees when he exclaims. " Ye hypocrites, 
well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying. This 
people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, 
and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart 
is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, 
teaching for doctrines the commandments of 
men." 

A better demonstration of this matter cannot 
be given than the case of Paul. He declared 
that his gospel commission was not received of 
men, and says, "Neither was I taught it, but 
by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have 
heard of my conversation in time past in the 
Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I 
persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 
and profited in the Jews' religion above many 
my equals in mine own nation, being more ex- 
ceedingly zealous of the traditions of my 



142 Spiritual ThougJits 

fathers." But when Paul became a Christian, 
his religion was of a different type. He had 
exchanged the false for the true, though his 
sincerity, zeal and devotion was the same in 
each case. When he became a Christian his 
religion was pure, because he lived out the 
principles based upon the teachings of a living 
Christ, who said to his followers, " Now ye are 
clean through the word which I have spoken 
unto you." 

The outcome of pure gospel principles in us 
is fully evinced in righteous deeds and well 
guarded expressions, connected with unceas- 
ing devotion and continuous fidelity to God: 
and this constitutes pure religion: which state- 
ment we now substantiate by the indubitable 
testimony of one divinely authorized to speak. 
"If any man among you seem to be religious, 
and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his 
own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure 
religion and undefiled before God and the Fath- 
er is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in 
their affliction, and to keep him self unspotted 
from the world." Surely a system of faith and 
worship that will govern the tongue, passions 



For Candid Readers. 143 

and affections, and actuates the possessor to 
deeds of charity, while it gives him stamina and 
decision sufficient to be separate from a sinful 
world, must be a pure religion: and such should 
be the religion of all who "wait for God's Son 
from heaven." For in these last days of peril 
many nominal Christians are only pleasure seek- 
ers, and have no real interest in religious matters 
unless they are connected in some form with 
worldly pleasure as an incentive. Church fairs, 
festivals, excursions, picnics, and many other 
things of this character, are leading thousands 
down in the broad road of ruin. A religion that 
consists in these things, has no salvation in it. 
Therefore, "let us who are of the day be sober, 
putting on the breastplate of faith and love: and 
for an helmet, the hope of salvation," that when 
Jesus comes we may be numbered with the few 
that will be presented to Christ without spot or 
wrinkle, or any such thing, being holy and with- 
out blemish. 

THE MAXIMUM CHRISTIAN. 

Anything short of the highest standard in 
Christian life is unsatisfactory to a soul hunger- 



144 Spiritual Thoughts 

ing and thirsting after righteousness: and he 
who lowers the standard in a practical sense 
belittles his Master, deprives himself of happi- 
ness, and disgraces his profession by failure. 

To enjoy "the fullness of the blessing of the 
gospel of Christ/' we must obtain the full 
approval of our Heavenly Father by perfect 
obedience to that gospel. Short of this, con- 
demnation, dissatisfaction and leanness will be 
our portion, while the ultimatum of our misspent 
life will be death eternal. Let us then briefly 
set forth the deficiencies that make us unsuccess- 
ful, and in so doing we will assume that our 
readers are honest-hearted seekers for truth and 
righteousness, especially those who believe in 
the proximity of our Saviour's coming. 

No good work has ever been accomplished 
without diligent application and rigid adherance 
to good principles: for every righteous enter- 
prise has some regulations by which to operate, 
and in whatever sphere of life our action may 
be, success will depend upon our compliance 
with the rules attached to the enterprise of our 
choice, and diligence in execution. 

The yoeman masters his situation, and at- 



For Candid Readers. 145 

tains a degree of independence in circumstances 
by making his branch of toil a specialty. If his 
attention and time are divided in farming and 
speculation, by way of mechanical agencies, 
such as the sale of books, machinery, or mer- 
cantile goods, and then again sub-divided in 
blacksmithing, coopering, fishing and hunting, 
you will see the signs of neglect in broken- 
down fences, dilapidated buildings, house so 
rickety and deficient in doors and windows 
that winter's chilling blast easily enters and 
causes suffering, while the diminutive crops 
show the soil to be improperly tilled. 

In business transactions special attention is 
required in each branch, and the man who has 
many irons in the fire will fail to do them all 
justice unless he»has capital to employ reliable 
parties to give attention to them: and even then 
it requires a man of extraordinary ability to 
successfully conduct more than one branch of 
business. Possibly there are men who can do it, 
but they are very scarce: for most men who 
undertake it begin with two hands, and finish 
up with three, the third being a little behindhand. 

So with us in the Lord's vineyard. To be 



146 Spiritual TJiougJits 

approved as faithful workmen, Christians of the 
best type, our work must be made a specialty ; 
and while temporal duties in our various 
avocations must be performed faithfully, they 
never should be permitted to interfere with our 
moral obligations and devotional duties : for, 
according to the divine mandate, we are to 
make it our first and special business to seek 
the kingdom of God and his righteousness, 
which we believe is the only sure way to follow 
Christ. 

That God designed we should attain unto a 
fullness in Christianity is evidently taught in His 
Word. But this maximum is reached by earnest 
effort on our part, associated with certain 
instrumentalities employed by the Master : for 
we read, " He gave some, apostles: and some, 
prophets: and some, evangelists : and some, 
pastors and teachers: for the perfecting of the 
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the 
edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come 
in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge 
of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the 
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. " 
This quotation with the context proves that we 



For Candid Readers. 147 

are to be perfect men and women in Christ Jesus, 
and wholly excludes the minimum principles. 

Some have ventured to see how far they can 
go with the world and yet retain their standing 
as Christians: but such a course is hazardous in 
the extreme, and in the end will prove fatal. 
It is much better to keep as separate from the 
world as possible, and to be just as near like 
Jesus as we can. He that apes the wicked, and 
adopts their principles of folly and pleasure, 
must in the end reap the bitter reward. Omay 
God help us to be so consecrated that we can 
truthfully exclaim with the poet: 

" My all to Christ I've given, 
My talents, time and voice : 
Myself, my reputation, 
The lone way is my choice." 

With such a righteous sentiment as this 
sealed upon the heart by God's Spirit, we can 
easily carry out the principles of his Word, 
irrespective of circumstances: and may reason- 
ably expect to be approved and prospered, 
and ultimately obtain full salvation. 



148 Spiritual Tlwughts 

CONSECRATION. 

Consecration to God embraces more than 
many professors of religion are willing to allow, 
from the fact that their love of pleasure makes 
them oblivious to the radical demands of the 
gospel, and therefore they venture to impose 
upon the good nature of their Heavenly Father 
by indulgences incompatible with Christian 
principles, presuming upon divine mercy for 
ultimate acceptance. But for this presumption, 
more or less accompanied by self-will, they 
must give an account in the day of judgment. 

Let us draw a limited pen picture of the mod- 
ern representative of many Christians by pro- 
fession only. The person may be one of respect- 
ability and culture, in prominence as a church 
member, and exemplary in many things, but his 
love for the world is predominant: and having 
neglected to get acquainted with God by fre- 
quent communication at the throne of grace, in 
connection with a daily study of, and meditation 
upon His Word, he easily falls in line w r ith the 
pleasure-loving throng, and by his presence 
and money he aids and abets that which may 



For Candid Readers. 149 

come under a good name: but if analyzed in the 
light of Scripture, would develop principles 
of a carnal and unrighteous nature. Such is 
the case in church entertainments, where the 
representative of nominal Christians revels 
in the pleasures of sin and recreation in the 
name of goodness, philanthropy and godliness. 
In their desire for union [an abused term], 
they strike hands with the world, and feel justi- 
fied in the gambling arrangements and amuse- 
ments, coming under the head of fairs, festivals, 
oyster suppers, sociables, picnics, excursions — 
and last of all, but not least — negro concerts. And 
when these follies are exposed in the light of di- 
vine truth, our respectable representative is hor- 
rified, and denounces the exposure as radical old 
fogyism. Hence, he ventures on step by step 
until he does not scruple to become a bold at- 
tendant of the circus, the opera, and the giddy 
dance. Thus they hesitate not to waste time and 
money, while their influence for good is com- 
pletely neutralized. Truly such a course is lam- 
entable when we consider our proximity to the 
judgment, the languishing cause of " present 
truth," and temporal as well as spiritual destitu- 



150 Spiritual Thoughts 

tion of our fellow men. But we are glad to 
know that the body proper, composed of 
Christ's members, discountenance and stand 
aloof from all such proceedings, and are free 
to lift the voice of warning against this 
"spiritual wickedness in high places/' thus 
giving heed to the apostle's injunction, as it 
stands connected with the characteristics of 
these last days, specified in 2 Tim. 3: 1-5. 

Dearly beloved, let us be consecrated to God 
in the fullest sense, remembering that "without 
holiness no man shall see the Lord." We have 
become soldiers of Christ, having vowed alle- 
giance to him, accepting the uniform of right- 
eousness, and "the sword of the Spirit, which 
is the word of God. " Therefore, being under 
the government of heaven, we have no right to 
rob our employer of our time by going into the 
world for pleasure. (See James \\ 3-10. ) Let us 
never disgrace ourselves nor dishonor the mes- 
sage commited to our trust by deserting the Sav- 
iour, and going over to the devil's ranks disguis- 
ed by profession. May we ever keep in mind 
the importance attached to our warfare, and the 
necessity of continuous fidelity, to achieve vie- 



For Candid Readers. 1 5 1 

tory and secure ultimate reward in the kingdom 
to come. Surely we cannot divide our affections, 
time and means. All must be consecrated to God. 
Christian soldier, arouse' Put on the whole 
armor and onward march. Give no quarters to 
the enemy. Fight the good fight of faith: and 
a golden chaplet shall be yours. 



A NOVEL IDEA. 

Divers opinions have been advanced relative 
to the nature of man and his moral attributes: 
but among them all none seem to be so 
novel as the one recently advanced by a 
theologian of prominence in a western town, 
who is an accredited representative of modern 
orthodoxy: and while we wish to be deferential 
in our exposure of that which is incompatible 
with divine enunciation, and borders upon the 
ridiculous, we cannot forbear expressing our 
astonishment at the want of Bible knowledge, 
and what is termed common sense. 

The subject under consideration was life as 
an entity, based upon John 1 : 4, which, if ac- 
cepted as it stands, would prove that Christ is 
the only source of eternal life. But the speaker 



152 Spiritual Thoughts 

went on to say that while every thing in the 
vegetable and animal kingdoms had life pecu- 
liar to itself, man possessed three kinds of life, 
or nature, viz., physical, mental, and spiritual: 
and therefore man is a triune being, thus step- 
ping beyond the commonly accepted view of 
man's dual nature. We were then informed that 
each of these lives or persons constituting the 
man was supported by food peculiar to its na- 
ture: that the intellectual could not be fed upon 
bread and milk, forgetting that the science of 
physiology and experience has taught us that 
the health of the body depends much upon the 
food we eat, and that disease will impair, and 
in some instances destroy the mind. As the 
speaker's innovations were quite intricate, we 
failed to learn which of the three in one body 
took its flight to realms above in conscious and 
everlasting felicity. 

This is truly novel logic: for it is hard to 
conceive how there can be life and personality 
independent of organism. Our mentality de- 
pends upon the development of brain, which is 
a part of the fleshly organism; while the breath 
or spirit of life containing the life forces or 



For Candid Readers. 153 

power, was given not to itself, but to man at 
creation, and' when deprived of it he ceases to 
exist as a personality. Therefore mans future 
existence depends upon the animating forces of 
divine life, which we learn from the text is 
in Christ: for life, instead of being an entity or 
substance in personal form, is rather a result 
or condition of being, as there is no develop- 
ment of life independent of organism. 

The fact of our Creator existing as a corpo- 
real being is favored by the indubitable testi- 
mony of His Word, and commends itself to our 
reason: while in connection with this we learn 
that he is the source of all life. See Acts. 17: 
24-28. Thus the life forces proceed from his 
organism to other organisms: and as man was 
created in the image of his God, so shall the 
obedient portion of the human race be re-pro- 
duced in his likeness at the time of resurrection, 
having divine, immortal, eternal life imparted to 
their physical bodies. And whether theolo- 
gians call such life spiritual or physical it 
matters not. We know it will be everlasting, 
and that we shall exist in fact, and as somebody, 
because we have a body. 



154 Spiritual Thouglits 

Thank God for this gospel hope, which is 
so tangible and comprehensive that the Captain 
of our salvation in expressing his gratitude to 
the Father exclaimed, " I thank thee, O Father, 
Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast 
hid these things from the wise and prudent, 
and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, 
Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.'' 



SELF-CONTROL. 

It has been said that "the government of 
one's self is the only true freedom for the indi- 
vidual," and experience confirms the statement, 
for those who are governed by their passions 
are emphatically slaves, subject to ridicule and 
contempt. 

Moral courage and decision of character is 
based upon self-control, and he who has re- 
spectful command of himself, naturally com- 
mands the respect of others. But underlying 
the virtues that go to make up a righteous 
character, we find the great principles of the 
Christian religion, established by our blessed 
Saviour, essential to the moderation and perfect 



For Candid Readers. 155 

development of the truly exemplary and amiable. 
Some have reached a remarkable degree of 
propriety in the drama of life, but not without 
the adoption of divine principles and the 
reception of divine unction: and by virtue of 
propriety thus attained, man becomes a being 
whom Shakespeare defines as " looking before 
and after/" always profiting by past experience, 
and improving as he advances in the journey 
of life. 

The man who fails to govern himself is not 
fit to govern others: hence discipline should 
precede elevation to posts of honor, lest he who 
is suddenly lifted in authority should bring dis- 
grace upon his cause and subjects by acting 
upon instinctive impulse. Bible commendation 
is given, not to the strong man who " taketh a 
city,'"' but to him "that is slow to anger," and 
"that ruleth his spirit/'' 

In the various departments of life it is im- 
possible but that offences will come: but "the 
discretion of a man deferreth his anger: and it is 
his glory to pass over a transgression/' This 
he can do by God's help, and thus retain his 
religious equilibrium and peace of mind. In 



156 Spiritual Thoughts 

the supremacy of self-control, says Herbert 
Spencer, " consists one of the perfections of the 
ideal man. Not to be impulsive — not to be 
spurred hither and thither by each desire that in 
turn comes uppermost — but to be self-restrained, 
self-balanced, governed by the joint decision of 
the feelings in council assembled, before whom 
every action shall have been fully debated and 
calmly determined: that it is which education, 
moral education at least, strives to produce." 

Rigid self-restraint pervades the life of every 
true Christian. He is to be sober and vigilant: 
to eschew evil and do good: to walk in the Spirit: 
to be obedient unto death: to withstand in the 
evil day, and, having done all, to stand: to 
wrestle against spiritual wickedness, and against 
the rulers of the darkness of this world: to be 
rooted and built up in the faith, and not to be 
weary in well doing: for in due season he shall 
reap if he faint not. 

The great principles of self-control are set 
before us in explicit terms by the inspired apos- 
tle when he says: " Every man that striveth for 
the mastery is temperate in all things. Now 
they do it to obtain a corruptible crown: but we 



For Candid Readers. 1 57 

an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as un- 
certainly: so fight I, not as one that beateth the 
air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into 
subjection: lest that by any means, when I have 
preached to others, I myself should be a cast- 
away/' To be temperate in all things, restraint 
upon the passions is indispensable: and our 
success in a Christian life depends in no small 
degree upon the regulation of temper, and care- 
ful self-discipline, all of which must be done 
under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and upon 
the principles of God's revelation. If the body 
is kept under and brought into subjection, every 
member is controlled by the impulse of divine 
love, and purity is in the feelings and actions in 
such a degree that every carnal desire is over- 
come, and debasing habits formerly indulged are 
so broken and renounced by divine aid and 
indomitable decision, as to never be formed 
again. 

May the Lord freely bestow his grace upon 
all who by profession are waiting for the con- 
solation of Israel, that they may by moderation 
and allegiance to Christ adorn the doctrine of 
God, and ultimately share in the glories of 



158 Spiritual Thoughts 

immortal perfection, all of which shall be ours 
by virtue of confidence in Him who has taught 
us self-control. 



THE SLEEPY TIME. 

The moral drowsiness and apathy of present 
times is apparent to all candid observers who 
look at matters in a reasonable and scriptural 
light. But that the spirit of slumber should get 
hold of those who are looking for the return of 
Jesus, is astonishing when we call to mind the 
fore-warnings given by the great apostle and 
his associates. However, this condition of the 
virgins being predicted, is a marked evidence 
of our proximity to the Bridegroom's coming, 
and the restitution of all things promised: and 
for those whose vessels are filled with oil, there 
is good hope when aroused by the midnight 
cry. Matt. 25. 

Jesus presented our position in prophecy and 
parable, locating the period of special prepara- 
tion for his reception, at the conclusion of serial 
events unmistakable and portentious. The be- 
ginning of this period was marked by aprophetic 



For Candid Readers. 159 

call, which was honored by the honest-hearted, 
who "took their lamps, and went forth to meet 
the Bridegroom." But in the move, wisdom 
and folly is wonderfully contrasted by the pa- 
tienceand providence of some, and negligenceof 
others, while indifference on the part of nominal 
Christians has been so preponderant that many 
have been hindered from coming to the light of 
sacred truth. As a result, lethargy and declen- 
sion has characterized those who have, and are 
still rejecting the message of "present truth." 
And notwithstanding the zeal and ardor at first 
manifested on the part of the virgins who expect- 
ed immediate deliverance, they have during the 
long delay of the Birdegroom slumbered more 
or less: all because the night of moral darkness 
has its effect upon us, and as long foretold "dark- 
ness should cover the earth, and gross darkness 
the people. " "But the Lord shall arise upon 
thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." 
Thank God for this assurance, though it be diffi- 
cult to keep awake, and only by earnest effort 
and vigilance do we succeed, especially now at 
the time of midnight, when this pall of gloom 
is so thick and extensive. 



160 Spiritual Thoughts 

Far too many are losing the light of revela- 
tion and interest in speedy redemption, which 
is manifest in neglecting the means of grace, and 
dropping down to the low standard of religious 
formality so prevalent in the majority of church- 
es now. But a special midnight cry was pre- 
dicted, and is now being made, by means of 
which the world is warned, and the virgins 
aroused, while the particular instalment of our 
message due at this period, is indicated in the 
command, "Go ye out to meet him. 7 ' No time 
now for contention on technical points relative 
to things hard to be understood, or not revealed: 
but "Go ye out (in the path of duty and devo- 
tion) to meet him" is the imperative order of 
our Captain. 

To fully comply requires much grace and 
prayerful watchfulness in order to retain our 
equilibrium of spirit and peaceful frame of mind 
while in the line of duty: for, zeal and devotion 
that corresponds with true belief in the speedy 
coming of our dear Saviour is sure to bring 
down upon us the contempt and frowns of nom- 
inal church goers, and also the scoffs of an 
ungodly world. Yet the assurance of salvation 



For Candid Readers. 161 

to those who " endure to the end " supports the 
weary pilgrim as he journeys toward Zion, and 
watches for the dawn of redemption's day. 

Therefore let every brother and sister in the 
faith, whose eyes may chance to fall upon 
these lines, determine in fullness of heart to keep 
wide awake in this midnight period, and have 
their lamps so well trimmed and burning that 
the corning day may not overtake them as a 
thief in the night. "Let us not sleep as do 
others: but let us watch and be sober, put- 
ting on the breast-plate of faith and love : and for 
an helmet, the hope of salvation." "For God 
hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain 
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died 
for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we 
should live together with him." i Thes. 5. 



TRINE FAITH— 1 John 5: 5. 
Full confidence in the Son of God is essen- 
tial to success in the way of righteousness: and 
as belief is " credit given to evidence," we can 
only exercise faith in Christ by giving credence 
to the record borne by divinely appointed wit- 



1 62 Spiritual Thoughts 

nesses named in our context, and identified by- 
all of the holy ones who spoke and wrote " as 
they were moved by the Holy Ghost." There- 
fore it is folly to expect divine approval, and 
power to overcome to the world without this 
specific faith, three-fold in its construction, and 
saving in its effect. 

i . We are to believe that Jesus came by water. 
By this element his public ministry was inaug- 
urated in the solemn and important ordinance 
of baptism, by which the example of righteous- 
ness, by gospel faith, is established: and im- 
mediately following was the descent, sanction, 
and seal of the Holy Spirit. Matt. 3: 13-17, 
Hence, "he that believeth and is baptized, shall 
be saved," for he gives evidence of his faith as 
a follower of Christ. " In whom ye also trust- 
ed, after that ye heard the word of truth, the 
gospel of your salvation: in whom also after 
that ye believed, ye were sealed with that 
Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of 
our inheritance, until the redemption of the 
purchased possession, unto the praise of his 
glory." Thus the baptism of the spirit is 
received after we have believed, and the most 



For Candid Readers , 163 

sure way to evince our belief in Jesus is by 
obedience. 

2. We are to believe that Jesus came by 
blood. That is, his public ministry was termi- 
nated by blood. By his blood shed for us he 
became our Saviour in fact: for the race of 
Adam had a blood life forfeited in their federal 
head, and could only be restored by a blood 
cancellation on the part of a righteous head, 
originating trom a source independent of the 
Adamic race. Therefore, faith in this atone- 
ment is expressed by a confession of our loss, 
and death in personal sin: especially by the 
emblems used at the Lord's table in memory of 
his death and sufferings. Hence, if our 
faith is not in actual atonement made by a 
blood life, on the part of our Saviour, and a 
corporeal resurrection, it is vain: we are yet in 
sin. So the fact that Jesus came by blood is 
the second instalment of our faith. 

3. We are to believe that Jesus is the Son of 
God ''because the Spirit of truth beareth wit- 
ness," as it unquestionably did at the time of 
our Saviour's baptism in the river Jordan, and 
also on the mount of transfiguration: while on 



164 Spiritiial Thoughts 

the day of Pentecost the evidence was over- 
whelming, as the Holy Ghost descended in 
power, and in such profusion as to completely 
immerse and permeate the disciples who were 
waiting in Jerusalem for the endowment of 
divine power, as previously promised by their 
heavenly Commander. Luke 24: 49. Acts 2. 
Therefore the last named element in our three- 
fold faith is just as essential to salvation as the 
two previously specified: for it must quicken 
morally to newness of life in this world, and 
physically to an immortal life in the world to 
come. 

By this trine faith we are brought into the 
family of God, and receive the Spirit of adoption, 
whereby we cry Abba Father: while our rela- 
tion to Christ is most sacred simply because we 
receive the witness of God, which is greater 
than that of man. "For there are three that 
bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, 
and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one 
(united in their testimony): and there are three 
that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the 
water, and the blood: and these three agree in 
one." On earth, we are the representatives of 



For Candid Readers. 165 

Christ. The Spirit of truth in us, and guiding 
us, bears witness. Our faith in the death and 
resurrection of Christ is exhibited in water 
baptism, which act is unmistakable testimony 
for God. Our life, which is now a natural or 
blood life, is so consecrated to God that all of 
the passions and desires are tamed by subjec- 
tion to the Spirit's influence, so that a living 
witness in the form of flesh and blood is 
found on earth. Hence "these three agree 
in one." 

RECAPITULATION. 

i. The Christian faith only will save, and 
that is three-fold in its construction. 

2. This faith in Jesus as the Son of God is 
credit given to the evidence of Christ's coming 
by water (baptism) and blood, (shed for us), 
and quickened by the Holy Spirit for our justi- 
fication to life. 

3. It is also credence in the testimony of 
three heavenly witnesses, and in our willing- 
ness to be living epistles on earth, by which 
men may read the way of righteousness and 
life as exhibited in our baptism by water, the 



1 66 Spiritual Thong lit s 

Spirit of Jesus in us the hope of glory, and by 
the full consecration of flesh and blood to the 
service of our Master. 

These, dear reader, are the foundation 
principles on which to build: and it is only 
folly to claim relationship to Christ, and a prep- 
aration for his second coming, before we get 
upon this "highway of holiness. " Let us then 
" draw nigh to God," and "abide in him, that 
when he shall appear, we may have confi- 
dence, and not be ashamed before him at his 
coming. " 



MONETARY REQUIREMENTS. 

A synoptical sermon to be read in all our 
Churches. 

Text: — " Bring ye all the tithes into the store- 
house, that there may be meat in mine house, and 
prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if 
I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour 
you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough 
to receive it." — Mai. 3:10. 

In this age of selfishness it becomes im- 
portant for all who are looking for redemption 
complete at the return of our dear Saviour, to 



For Candid Readers. 167 

fully adopt the scriptural requirements in a 
financial line, that our cause may not suffer for 
want of support. 

As Baptists, we claim to be Bible Christians, 
both in doctrine and practice. We indorse all 
of the divine asseverations relative to man's duty, 
nature and destiny. But the doctrine of sys- 
tematic beneficence has long- been overlooked, or 
not understood: and therefore languishment 
has marked our work, and deprived us of much 
increase. It has been a trick of satan to im- 
press many with the idea of giving according 
to feeling instead of Bible principle, thus keep- 
ing our workers embarrassed: and only by 
indomitable perseverance, associated with 
divine love, do they survive. As consecrated 
Christians wc reject the worldly methods of 
sustaining the gospel. But the Lord's devoted 
messengers must have a living, and we are 
furnished with a scriptural system of supporting 
them: while our prosperity in a spiritual sense, 
individually and collectively depends largely 
upon its adoption. 

What, then, are God's monetary require- 
ments in this gospel dispensation? Some may 



1 68 Spiritual Thoughts 

consider our text obsolete, and of no force in 
this period of the world's history: but we hope, 
by the aid of God's Holy Spirit, to so elucidate 
this subject, as to convince all that it applies to 
the church of Christ now : and hence is a matter 
of great importance to those who look for 
redemption. 

i. All things belong to the Lord. There- 
fore it is right and reasonable that He should 
say how they shall be used. Men who are 
successful in securing earthly possessions, are 
frequently known to boast of their industry and 
economy, by which they have secured it all: 
and as they look over their broad acres and fine 
stock, and comfortably rest in their pleasant 
home, they exclaim "All this is mine:" forget- 
ting that God has said, "Every beast of the 
forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand 
hills, I know all the fowles of the mountains: 
and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I 
were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world 
is mine, and the fullness thereof." Sometimes, 
by dint of shrewd financiering, money is rapidly 
obtained and placed in security, to be used only 
for the selfish purposes of its possessor, who 



For Candid Readers. 169 

never thinks that God has said, "The silver is 
mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of 
hosts." When Israel in type had so far de- 
parted from God and righteousness as to make 
self the principal subject of support and the 
centre of affection, the Lord addressed them 
through his prophet as follows: "Is it time for 
you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and 
this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith 
the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. (Mar- 
gin — Set your heart on your ways.) Ye have 
sown much, and bring in little: ye eat, but ye 
have not enough: ye drink, but ye are not filled 
with drink: ye clothe you, but there is none 
warm: and he that earneth wages, earneth 
wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus 
saith the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 
Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and 
build the house: and I will take pleasure in it, 
and I will be glorified, saith the Lord. Ye 
looked for much, and, lo, it came to little: and 
when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. 
Why? saith the Lord of hosts, Because of 
mine house that is waste, and ye run every man 
unto his own house." 



170 Spiritual Thoughts 

This remarkable portraiture of Israel's apos- 
tasy is fully duplicated now by the antitypical 
church of God, who have allowed selfish inter- 
ests to make them oblivious to God's demands: 
for while their energies are all employed in 
accumulating wealth, beautifying and orna- 
menting their private dwellings, it is not un- 
frequently the case that when means are 
required to build a house for the Lord, or repairs 
are needed upon the same, that the plea of lim- 
ited purse and pressing demands of a domestic 
nature prevents their contributing anything in 
that line: when perhaps their homes are decor- 
ated with costly pictures, and many articles 
that are useless only as they please the eye. 
Surely these things ought not so to be, for the 
first and great commandment is, "Thou shalt 
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and 
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." And 
if all our ransomed powers be thus employed, 
remissness is excluded, and we never will be 
guilty of filching from our Creator, or appropri- 
ating his money to the gratification of our 
carnal desires. 

2. God's house spiritually considered in the 



For Candid Readers. 171 

light of our text is his Church under the gospel, 
prefigured by a temple structure, erected under 
the supervision of Solomon the prototype of our 
coming King. By the annotations of inspired 
apostles upon this subject, we are informed 
that Christ is the foundation, while we as indi- 
vidual children of the heavenly family are 
integral parts of the structure being "as lively 

stones, built up a spiritual house, an 

holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, 
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ/' "Where- 
fore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly 
calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of 
our profession, Christ Jesus: who was faithful 
to him that appointed him, as also Moses was 
faithful in all his house. For this man was 
counted worthy of more glory than Moses, 
inasmuch as he who hath builded the house 
hath more honor than the house. For every 
house is builded by some man: but he that 
built all things is God. And Moses verily was 
faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a 
testimony of those things which were to be 
spoken after: but Christ as a son over his own 
house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the 



172 Spiritual Thoughts 

confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm 
unto the end." 

This, with other scripture that might be ad- 
duced, proves that the term house applies not 
only to a literal temple, but especially to God's 
family down here in the gospel age: and if the 
command in our text be directly to us in the 
close of this age, as we shall endeavor to prove, 
then the house of God is spiritually the church 
of God, and the meat in the house, procured by 
tithes, is the preaching of God's word: for it is 
written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, 
but by every word that proceedeth out of the 
mouth of God." And according to gospel 
arrangement the flock is to be fed by the ap- 
pointed under-shepherd with the bread of life. 

3. How much does the Lord require of 
Christians for the support of the gospel? This 
question is of great importance to all conscien- 
tious followers of Christ, and if the Scripture 
will settle the matter, then we shall know just 
what to do. We are aware of the fact that our 
ministers dislike to touch upon this delicate 
subject for fear of being charged with selfish 
motives: and because they have thus been kept 



For Candid Readers. 173 

back from duty, our people are not acquainted 
with God's requirements relative to gospel sup- 
port. As the result of this, the banner of 
"present truth'' trails in the dust, and "this 
gospel of the kingdom " is retarded as a flying 
message, and deadened as a local power. Our 
missionaries are crippled in their work for want 
of means, and our pastors in some instances 
eke out a mere existence on the stipend allow- 
ed for unceasing care and earnest toil. Now 
upon the authority of God's Word we venture 
to state that one-tenth of income belongs to the 
Lord, and should be placed only in the treasury 
of his house or church, while out of the nine 
parts which he has given to us are to come the 
free-will offerings and charitable gifts, as we 
are disposed to make them. This system of 
tithing was introduced and practiced as far back 
as the days of Abraham, and possibly before. 
Hence it did not originate in the mosaic law as 
some have claimed, and therefore it is binding 
upon Christians who are to do as their spiritual 
father Abraham did in this matter. While it is 
true that without faith in Christ the tithing sys- 
tem alone will save no one, yet it is also true 



174 Spirit?/ a I Thong Jits 

that faith in Christ, unaccompanied by tithes 
justly belonging to God, is not a living and 
saving faith: for Christ has informed us that the 
giving of tithes should not be neglected. — Matt. 
23: 23. — and the advancement of the cause we 
profess to love depends largely upon our support 
of the same, as God invariably works by means, 
or through his people. 

We may pray long and earnestly for God to 
bless the work of our pastors and evangelists, 
yet if the means belonging to God and designed 
b>y him for supporting the gospel is withheld, 
such prayers avail but little. We as a people 
hold truths that are mighty, and if we were 
fully awake to the interests of our cause, and 
the demands of our Master, we should be a 
power unsurpassed for good. But, alas ! some 
of our churches, with a membership of from ten 
to fifty, consider themselves too weak to sus- 
tain a pastor, and too poor to contribute much 
of anything to the missionary fund, and as a 
result they are barren, unfruitful, and in a dying 
condition. The blessing of the Lord is with- 
held because they have withheld the Lord's 
money. 



For Candid Readers. 175 

No church can prosper and retain a healthy 
condition if they appropriate the Lord's money 
to selfish interests: and while they complain of 
adversity and declension, it may possibly be 
charged to the want of liberality: whereas, if 
the one-tenth of actual income was put into the 
treasury of God's house, as required, every 
church of ten families could support a pastor so 
that he would fare as well as they live them- 
selves. 

The debauchee not ^infrequently spends 
from five to twenty-five dollars per week, if he 
has it, to gratify his lust: but if he gets hope- 
fully reformed, converted (?) and into the 
church, it is sometimes amusing and yet very 
sad to see how penurious he becomes, for he 
considers his purse so small that he can hardly 
spare the weekly payment of a nickel for the 
support of the gospel he professes to love. But 
thank God for the noble exceptions to this rule 
of delinquency. 

And now, that there may be equalization in 
the burden of gospel support by having all do 
their duty, we think it proper to urge upon all 
the prayerful consideration of this subject, as it 



176 Spiritual Tlioughts 

is time the facts were understood, and the 
divine principles of equity fully adopted by us 
as an ecclesiastical body: for the admonitive of 
inspiration directed to us who hold the waiting 
position is, " that knowing the time, that now 
it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is 
our salvation nearer than when we believed. 
The night is far spent: the day is at hand: let 
us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and 
let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk 
honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and 
drunkenness, not in chambering and wanton- 
ness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on 
the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision 
for the flesh to fulfill the lusts the?'eof." — Rom. 
13: 11-14. 

Let the gospel rule of supporting our bless- 
ed cause be immediately adopted by every be- 
liever in the Lord's coming, that henceforth we 
may receive special blessing in loving service 
for God and humanity, while the advertisement 
of a coming kingdom will be graced with com- 
mendable impetus. Let the periodical tithing 
of our churches be, if possible, as ordered by 
the apostle in 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2: and especially 



For Candid Readers. 177 

let us remember that human nature is such as 
not to be trusted in deciding upon the amount 
to be given. Therefore God has wisely decided 
for us that one-tenth of actual income belongs to 
him, for we read, "It is the Lord's: it is holy 
unto the Lord." Surely God will bless us 
temporally and spiritually if we make the vow 
that Jacob did, saying, "If God will be with 
me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and 
will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put 
on, so that I come again to my father's house 
in peace, then shall the Lord be my God: and 
this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall 
be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give 
me 1 will surely give the tenth unto thee." We 
must not serve ourselves first by meeting all 
expenses, then give a tenth of what there is 
left: for the Lord has given us nine-tenths, out 
of which to live and make free-will offerings. 
"Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with 
the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy 
barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses 
shall burst out with new wine." 

In conclusion, the text brings the command 
directly to us, as all can see by carefully read- 



178 Spiritual Thoughts 

ing the whole chapter, in which the coming of 
the Lord, the judgment, and blessings to be 
enjoyed in this world, and that which is to 
come, are promised to those who cease to rob 
God, and bring all the tithes due him into his 
house. Let us remember that these tithes are 
not prayers and testimonies, for talk and pro- 
fession is cheap: but when a praying soul will 
give his money to support the cause of salva- 
tion, which he professes to love, that is good 
proof that he does love it. Hence the Lord 
has ever required this test of our sincerity (see 
2 Cor. 8.) from the days of righteous Abel 
down to the present: and all those who have 
fully adopted this divine plan of systematic 
beneficence, have been wonderfully blessed, 
temporally and spiritually, just as the Lord has 
promised. Therefore let every Christian in the 
land comply with these requirements of our 
heavenly Master. If associated in church 
capacity, put the tenth in the church treasury: 
and make free-will offerings to the missionary 
fund: that when Jesus comes to reckon with 
his servants, he may say, "well done/' See 
Matt. 25: 14. 



For Candid Readers, 179 

THE PASTOR. 

In the gospel economy God has provided 
evangelists and pastors "for the perfecting of 
the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for 
the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all 
come in the unity of the faith, and of the 
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect 
man, unto the measure of the stature of the 
fulness of Christ.'' 

As to the matter of teaching, the evangelist 
holds a position equal in importance to that of 
the pastor: but in watch-care and example the 
responsibilities of the pastor far exceed those 
of the evangelist. And furthermore, the teacher 
who comes as a stranger to tarry briefly, finds 
it comparatively easy to labor with acceptance 
and satisfaction to his hearers: w T hereas, the 
shepherd who has come to stay with the flock 
finds, in continuous ministration to the same 
hearers, that much grace and wisdom is needed 
in the selection and presentation of themes 
suited to the needs of the sheep and lambs. 
And then to look after their spiritual welfare, 
and deal tenderly but justly by all, in doctrine, 
reproof, correction, and instruction in righteous- 



180 Spiritual Thoughts 

ness, giving satisfaction to the recipients of his 
ministrations, expecting to receive in return the 
regard and liberal support due to one in his 
divinely appointed position, requires discretion 
almost supernatural: for not unfrequently, the 
weakness of human nature is exhibited on the 
part of fastidious Christians, in fault-finding 
and criticism. 

The pastor, to be successful in his work, 
needs not only the grace of God and the liberal 
monetary support of his congregation, but also 
the special and hearty co-operation of every 
member in his church. If, after he has fervent- 
ly presented an elaborate theme, supported by 
unlimited testimony from the word, and accom- 
panied by divine unction, a brother whose 
preconceived views are incompatible with those 
advanced by the servant of God, interviews 
the unconverted hearer, dissenting and freely 
criticising, the pastor's efforts are neutralized 
and the good impression made upon the un- 
converted man's heart is taken away. 

If, after repeatedly exhorting the brethren 
and sisters to faithfulness in attendance at the 
public services, and especially the prayer meet- 



For Candid Readers. 181 

ing, the major part of the flock remain away 
without valid excuse, the pastor fails to reach 
the lost: for if one sinner under conviction 
chances to come in, he learns by the small 
attendance that most of the church-members 
are indifferent to these devotional exercises, 
and he concludes that if professed Christians, 
looking- for the speedy coming of Jesus, find 
no satisfaction in collectively approaching the 
throne of grace, or at least have not interest 
enough in such meetings to grace them with 
their presence and fervent devotion, he will 
defer his enlistment until he beholds the 
Christian's religion verified in the Christian's life. 
Now it should be remembered that the pas- 
tor is mortal, and that he has not power, in and 
of himself, sufficient to sustain a relation to the 
church similar to that of a locomotive to a train 
of cars: for if he is obliged to bring sinners into 
the fold of Christ over dead church-members, 
he will have an exceedingly hard time of it. 
In fact, he will have but very little success: and 
if any at all, it will be because the religion of 
Jesus is exemplified by himself and the faithful 
few of his flock. 



1 82 Spiritual Thoughts 

Therefore, let all church-members who read 
these lines resolve to faithfully stand by their 
pastor in his labor of love, by heeding his 
exhortations to duty, and profiting by his in- 
structions. Then you may expect to be filled 
with the joy of salvation, and be upheld with 
God's free Spirit: and then you will be able to 
teach transgressors God's ways in a practical 
sense, and sinners will be converted to Him. 
Let us take heed, watch and pray, for the 
coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 



CONDITIONAL IMMORTALITY. 

Immortality — exemption from death and 
annihilation: unending existence, is a condition 
attainable only through Christ, who will, by 
the impartation of this divine boon, "deliver 
his people from the bondage of corruption into 
the glorious liberty of the children of God," in 
the day when he makes up his jewels. The 
teachings of inspiration make the fact apparent, 
that man is now in a dying condition: and 
Jesus came to save him from corruption on the 
conditions specified in his word, and therefore 
we consider it proper to present this subject 



For Candid Readers, 183 

under the head of conditional immortality. 
We are fully aware that the position here 
taken, runs counter to the great bulk of theo- 
logical teachings. But with due respect for 
those who are in error, and with modesty be- 
coming a christian writer, we venture to 
present the subject from a matter-of-fact stand- 
point in the light of Bible truth, though our 
time and space forbid a full and elaborate 
treatment. But while this dissertation may be 
somewhat cursory, we hope to elucidate our 
theme in outlines, sufficiently to engage the 
prayerful attention of honest-hearted seekers of 
truth as it relates to man's nature and destiny. 
"What is man, that thou art mindful of 
him ? or the son of man, that thou visitest him ?" 
is a question not be considered from a mytho- 
logical standpoint, neither is it to be measured 
and solved by heathen philosophers, for their 
deductions are largely based upon the chimer- 
ical notion of inherent immortality: which had 
its origin in the teaching of Satan when he 
affirms, "Ye shall not surely die," and that is 
tantamount to the affirmation of natural immor- 
tality: an idea that seems to cling to heathen 



184 Spiritual Thoughts 

minds, and is rampant in every benighted 
sphere, being prolific of much error. 

The assumption of the soul's immortality we 
find unreasonable and unsupportable: for nature 
and revelation teach us that man is mortal and 
has not power in his nature to perpetuate his 
existence. Hence, a Saviour has been provided 
" who hath abolished death, and hath brought 
life and immortality to light through the gospel," 
2 Tim. 1: 10, and we are told that "the gift of 
God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our 
Lord," while the apostle informs us that the 
recipients of this life are they " who by patient 
continuance in well doing seek for glory and 
honour and immortality." Rom. 6: 23; Rom. 2: 7. 

The word immortal is found in the Bible 
only once (1 Tim. 1: 17), while, the term im- 
mortality is found only five times, (Rom. 2: 7; 
1 Cor. 15: 53-4; 1 Tim. 6 :— 16; 2 Tim. i:-io) 
and these terms are not once applied to man in 
this world. In all the Book of God the term 
immortal soul, never-dying soul, or its equivi- 
lent is not to be found. Plato, Socrates, and 
other Greek philosphers held the doctrine of the 
soul's immortality: but we are warned by the 



For Candid Readers. 185 

word ot inspiration to " beware lest any man 
spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, 
after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of 
the world, and not after Christ." 

God's word declares "the soul that sinneth 
it shall die," which is good evidence of its 
mortality (Ezek. 181-4), and while its claims are 
pressing hard upon frail humanity, we are 
forced to realize its power in death as the ultima- 
tum, and were it not for the provision God has 
made in the person of his Son we should have 
no hope of a future existence. But heathen 
mythology affirms continued and everlasting 
existence on the ground of inherent immortality, 
and from this vague idea, an endless train of 
religious errors have followed, of which none 
were more prominent than the religion of Egypt, 
which gave a coloring and direction to almost 
everything. Heroditus states: " They are of all 
men the most excessively attentive to the wor- 
ship of the gods." The same historian writes: 
" The names of almost all the gods came from 
Egypt into Greece." He further states that 
" the Egyptians were also the first to say that 
the soul of man is immortal, and that when the 



1 86 Spiritual Thoughts 

body perishes it transmigrates through every 
variety of animal." Heroditus, page 144. On 
the ground of such mythology the Pharisees 
rejected Christ for they had received this false 
doctrine from the Egyptians about three hun- 
dred years previous, and supposed it was sup- 
ported by Scripture; which led Jesus to deal with 
them plainly by saying: " Search the scriptures; 
for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they 
are they which testify of me, and ye will not come 
to me, that ye might have life." — John 5: 39-40 
Because of this doctrine Jesus encountered the 
most bitter opposition: and so it has been with 
others called of God to counteract this greatest 
of all errors. Martin Luther, in his works says: 
l( I permit the Pope to make articles of faith for 

himself, such as, The soul is immortal, with 

all those monstrous opinions found i?i the Roman 
dunghill of decretals." — Vol. 2. Paul gave com- 
mandment to his son Timothy, which he was 
to keep without spot, unrebukeable, until the 
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in 
his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and 
only Potenate, the King of kings, and Lord of 
lords; "who only hath immortality," and this 



For Candid Readers. 187 

element of divine nature is not imparted to 
saints in fact until the time of resurrection, 
when "this mortal shall put on immortality/' 
though it be appropriated hy faith now — 1 Cor. 15. 
In addressing the Colossians the same inspired 
writer says: " For ye are dead, and your life 
is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is 
our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear 
with him in glory." Therefore upon this, and 
other testimony of like import, we venture to 
aver that immortality is but the impress of 
divine nature. The basis of an endless life. 
The Christian's reward at the second coming 
of Christ and resurrection of the dead. Phil. 
3: 20-1; Luke 1 4:- 1 4- 

At this point we will introduce the testimony 
of Josephus. After stating that Hades is a 
subterraneous region, a place of perpetual 
darkness, he says: "God will make a resur- 
rection of all men from the dead, not procuring 
a transmigration of souls from one body to 
another, but raising again those very bodies 
which you Greeks seeing to be dissolved, do 
not believe, (their resurrection. ) But learn not 
to disbelieve it: for while you believe that the 



1 88 Spiritual Thoughts 

soul is created, and yet is made immortal by 
God, according to the doctrine of Plato, and 
this in time, be not incredulous, but believe 
that God is able, when he hath raised to life 
that body which was made as a compound of 

the same elements, to make it immortal: 

We have, therefore believed that the body will 
be raised again: for although it be dissolved, it 
is not perished; for the earth receives its re- 
mains and preserves them: and while they are 
like seed, and are mixed among the more fruitful 
soil they flourish: and what is sown is, indeed, 
sown bare grain, but at the mighty sound of 
God the Creator it will sprout up, and be raised 

in a clothed and glorious condition, 

But as for the unjust, they will receive their 
bodies not changed, not freed from diseases or 
distempers, nor made glorious: and such as they 
w r ere in their unbelief, the same shall they be 
when they are faithfully judged. " Such was the 
mind of one w 7 ho rejected Christ, but believed 
in the teachings of the Old Testament relative 
to a future existence, by virtue of resurrection: 
and w T e find that in all ages, the true people of 
God have based their hope of life and immortal- 



For Candid Readers. 189 

ity upon a resusitation of the dead, and when 
we come to get at the truth of the matter, we 
find that Jesus is ' ' the resurrection and the life, " 
and he affirms that the children of God will be 
the children of the resurrection made deathless. 
See Luke 20: 35-8. 

But as we leave the history of this doctrine 
in the past, and come down to our times we 
are made glad to learn that in great measure 
" the darkness is past, and the true light now 
shine.th," for there seems to be a spirit of 
prayerful investigation aroused in many Bible 
students who are not afraid to express their 
convictions of inspired truth. 

The lamented Dr. A. J. Gordon, who as a 
leading Baptist writer, was eminent in premil- 
lennial views, and pre-eminent in devotion to 
God and His Word, while treating this subject 
in the light of inspiration, plainly states that 
" Pagan philosophy infused its own notions of 
a future life into ecclesiastical theology. // 
deftly substituted the Platonic doctrine of the im- 
mortality of the soul for the Christian doctrine 
of the resurrectio?i of the body. In harmony 
with this change came in the notion of judg- 



190 Spiritual Thoughts 

ment being administered immediately after 
death in the disembodied state, instead of 
being reserved till the coming of the Lord 
and the raising of the dead, a conception 
as characteristic of all heathen religions as it is 
foreign to the teaching of both the Old' Testa- 
ment and the New. This eschatology of the 
under-world, which even to this day so deeply 
colors our theology, could not fail to make 
strongly against the original advent faith of the 
Church. For it changed the up-look of prim- 
itive Christianity to the down-look of pagan 
mythology, by making death the object of con- 
sideration instead of the comi?ig of Christ. This 
was the master-stroke of Satanic art, — the sub- 
stitution of death for life, of mortality for 
resurrection, in the hopes of the Church. It is 
a perversion so radical and subtle that to this 
day many Christians are blinded by it, so that 
they imagine that their dying means the same 
thing as Christ's coming. Twin counterfeits of 
paganism are these two: ritualism corrupting 
the liturgy of the Church with demon-worship, 
and Platonism corrupting the eschatology of 
the Church with death-worship. Instead of the 



For Candid Readers. 191 

expectation being fixed upon Christ's advent, it 
became fixed upon the soul's exit: death was 
glorified into a good angel: and thus mortality, 
Satan's masterpiece, supplanted resurrection. 
Christ's masterpiece, and the " Terrible Captain 
Sepulchre and his Standard-bearer Corruption" 
were crowned and throned in the place of the 
coming Christ, who is ''the Resurrection and 
the Life." — Ecce Venit, pages 168-9. 

Surely this is a lucid statement worthy of 
consideration, for it is evident that all theologi- 
cal error springs from the doctrine of the im- 
mortality of the soul: at least that is the root 
from which all isms grow. 

Bishop Watson, a prominent Methodist writer 
says: "Some suppose consciousness is an essen- 
tial attribute of spirit: and the soul is naturally 
immortal: the former of which cannot be 
proved, while the latter is contradicted by the 
Bible, which makes our immortality a gift, de- 
pendent on the will of the giver." — Institutes, 
v. 2, p. 82-83. 

In the Sunday School Times, of Jan. 29, 
1898, was an elaborate editorial under the 
announcement of "No Immortality for the 



192 Spiritual Thoughts 

Soul," which is worthy of careful perusal. By 
the present trend of religious thought we dis- 
cover that many are coming to a better under- 
standing of this matter, and some like Prof. C. 
A. L. Totten are so elaborating this subject in 
outlines that with the aid of God's Holy Word 
we may obtain clear conceptions of it. May 
God help. 



No. 1.— SCRIPTURE SEARCHER. 
The Destiny of the Wicked. 
"What shall the end be of them that obey 
not the gospel ? " 

1. They shall not live forever, 1 John 3:15. 
John 5: 40. John 6: 53. Matt. 19: 17. 

2. They shall die. Ezek. 18:4, 20, 24, ^2. 
Rom. 6: 21, 23. Rom. 7: 5. James 1: 15. 
James 5: 20. Rev. 20: 14. Rev. 21: 4. 

3. They shall perish. John 3: 15, 16. 2 
Cor. 2:15. 2 Thess. 2: 10. 2 Pet. 3: 9. Psa. 
^j: 20. Psa. y^: 27. Psa. 92: 9. Prov. 19:9. 
Prov. 21: 28. Rom. 2: 12. 2 Pet. 2: 12. 
Luke 13: 3, 5. Job 20: 7. 



For Candid Readers. 193 

4. They shall be consumed. Psa. 37: 20. 
Psa. 59: 13. Psa. 71: 13. Psa. 73: 19. Psa. 
104: 35. Isa. 1: 28. Heb. 12: 29. 

5. They shall be devoured by fire. Heb. 10: 

27. Rev. 20: 9. 

6. They shall be cut off. Psa. 37: 9, 22, 28, 
34, 38. Psa. 54: 5. Psa. 94: 23. Prov. 2: 22. 

7. They shall be destroyed. Job 21: 30. 
Job 31: 3. Psa. 5: 6. Psa. 55: 23. Psa. 37: 
38. Psa. j^: 18. Psa. 92: 7. Psa. 144: 6. 
Psa. 145: 20. Prov. 1: 27. Prov. 13: 13, 20. 
Prov. 16: 18. Isa. 1: 28. Matt. 7: 13. Acts 
3: 23. Rom. 3: 16. Rom. 9: 22. Phil. 3: 19. 
1 Thes. 5: 3. 2 Thes. 1:9. 1 Tim. 6: 9. 2 
Pet. 2:12. 2 Pet. 3: 16. Rev. 21: 18. 

8. TV^^y shall be burned up root and branch. 
Psa. 97: 3. Matt. 3:12. Luke 3, 17. Isa. 1: 
31. Matt. 13: 30, 40. Mai. 4: 1, 2, 3. Matt. 
10: 28. 

9. TTzey s/W/ &e <?s though they had not been. 
Obadiah 16. Isa. 41: 12. Job 18: 18. 

10. Endless life is only obtained through 
Christ. John 11: 25. John 3: 15. John 10: 

28. John 17: 2. 



194 Spiritual Thoughts 

No. 2.— SCRIPTURE SEARCHER. 

The State of the Dead. 

" Man giveth up the Ghost, and where is he? " 

i. They are not with Christ in heaven. John 

5: 13. John 7: 33, 34.' John 8: 21. John 13: 

33. Acts 2: 34. 

2. They are not in hell fire. (If they are, 
what need of judgment in the last day P) Job 
21 : 30. 2 Pet. 2: 9. 

3. They are in their graves. John 5: 28, 29. 
Acts 2: 29. All iii one place. Ecle. 3: 20. 7;z 
the dust. Gen. 3: 19. Dan. 12: 2. Psa. 22: 
15. Job 7: 21. 

4. That place is one of darkness, silence, and 
repose. Job 3: 11-19. Job 10: 21, 22. Psa. 
88: 12. Eccl. 9: 10. 

5. They sleep. Deut. 31: 16. 2 Sam. 7: 12. 
1 Kings 2: 10. 1 Kings 11: 21, 43. 2 Chron. 
9: 31. 2 Kings 20: 21. 2 Chron. 32: 33. 2 
Chron. 26: 23. Job 3: 13. Job. 7: 21. Job 
14: 12. Psa. 76: 5. Matt. 27: 52. Acts 7: 60. 
Acts 13: 36. 1 Cor. 15: 6, 18, 20, 51. 1 Thes. 
4: 13, 14, 15. 1 Thes. 5: 10. 2 Pet. 3: 4. 

6. They praise 7iot the Lord, and exercise no 
power of the mind. Psa. 6:5. Psa. 88: 10-12. 



For Ca ndid Readers . 195 

Psa. 115: 17. Psa. 146: 4. Eccl. 9: 6. Isa. 
38: 18, 19. Job 14: 21. 

7. They know not anything. Eccl. 9: 5, 10. 
Job 14: 21. Isa. 63: 19. 

8. Death is an enemy. — Satan hath the pozver 
of death. — Christ shall destroy both. 1 Cor. 15: 
26. Heb. 2: 14. Rev. 20: 14, Hos. 13: 14. 
Isa. 25: 8. 

9. God only has immortality. 1 Tim. 6: 16. 

1 Tim. 1: 17. John 5: 26. 1 John 5; 11-12. 
Man is mortal. Job 4; 17. //<? w#s/ s£e& /?//- 
mortality. Rom. 2: 7. Or perish in corruption. 

2 Pet. 2:12. 

10. Immortality shall be put o?i at the appear- 
ing of Christ. 1 Cor. 15: 53, 54. 2 Cor. 5; 4. 
2 Cor. 4: 10-1 1. 



NOTE. 

The foregoing Scripture Searchers being of 
great value to Bible students, has been copied 
for this book, believing that whoever the author 
of arrangement may be, he will be glad to 
know that many are aided by his work. May 
the blessing of God attend all who have a 
desire to understand his word. 



CONTENTS. 



TAGES. 



Exemplary 3-4 

How Forcible Are Right Words 4-9 

Things to be Loved 9-10 

Kindness 10-1 1 

The Christian's Record 1 1-1 5 

Delusion 1 5-17 

Redeeming The Time 1 7-20 

Influence. . . 20-23 

Affection 23-25 

Consistency 25-28 

Your Pastor 28-31 

Companionship 3 I_ 34 

Are You Ready ? 34-36 

Retribution 37-39 

Tribulation 39-40 

Obedience 40-43 

The Unruly Member 43-46 

Sanctification 47-50 

Restitution 5°-5 2 

Organization 5 2 ~55 

The Predominating Evil 55~59 

The Time of Trial 59-63 

11 This Generation " 63-66 

The Power of God 66-70 

Christian Science 70-75 

Ambition 75-84 



198 



Contents. 



The State of The Church 84-88 

Positive and Negative 88-93 

Decision 93-96 

To The Burdened Ones 96-99 

Love 99- 

The Perfect State 101- 

Evil Speaking 1 04- 

Prospective ~. 1 06- 

Integrity 1 09- 

Sin 1 1 2— 

Humility 118- 

Egotism 121- 

A Growing Evil 1 23- 

Definite Time 126- 

Pharmacy 1 29- 

Theological Pugilism 1 32- 

Anathema Maran-atha l 3S~ 

Pure Religion 1 39- 

The Maximum Christian 1 43— 

Consecration 148- 

A Novel Idea 151- 

Self-Control 1 54- 

The Sleepy Time 1 58- 

Trine Faith 161- 

Monetary Requirements 1 66— 

The Pastor 1 79- 

Conditional Immortality 182- 

Scripture Searchers, Numbers 1 and 2 192- 



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